The police officers from Phoenix SAPS were conducting patrols on the afternoon of 29 March 2021, when they noticed a vehicle parked outside the house situated on Wetfern Road with back doors open.
Suddenly they saw a male coming out of the yard carrying something in his hand. The police tried to stop the suspect who also joined others that were in a vehicle but there was a shoot-out. The suspects fled towards Bhambayi in Inanda and a chase ensured. The suspect’s vehicle crashed into an embankment in Bhambayi and the suspects abandoned their vehicle and fled whilst firing shots at the police.
During the exchange of gunfire, one of the suspects was fatally wounded. A 25-year-old suspect was placed under arrest and other three fled the scene.
Two illegal firearms with 23 rounds of ammunition were found from the suspect. Another suspect in his twenties was later arrested following an investigation by Phoenix police. The suspects will appear before the Verulam Magistrate’s’ Court on charges of attempted murder, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
“I’m glad that no injuries were sustained by police officers. The criminals should know that the police officers will always defend themselves when attacked,” said The Acting Provincial Commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, Major General Thulani Gonya.
