A 35-year-old man is behind bars on allegations of an attempted business robbery as well as for possession of an unlicensed firearm. The man was cornered by the police in Masoyi on the morning of 11 April 2023, at about 11:30 during the time when he together with his accomplice were reportedly trying to rob a victim.
It is said that a Bangladeshi Foreign National was at his place at the time when two armed suspects stormed into his premises and demanded cash from him.
Masoyi SAPS members were patrolling in that vicinity when they came across the attempted robbery in progress.
The astute members then responded accordingly. The two suspects reportedly fled on foot upon noticing the Police however the members gave chase. Upon realizing that the men and women in Blue were not begging down, one of the suspects opened fire directed at the members who defended themselves by firing back.
One of the suspects somehow evaded the arrest meanwhile his accomplice who allegedly fired the shots sustained some injuries after being shot in the leg.
He was eventually apprehended and a 9mm pistol with its serial number filled off was seized from his possession.
He is currently under police guard in hospital.
The man is facing a charge of attempted robbery as well as for possession of unlicensed firearm. The firearm will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine whether it was not used in other criminal activities previously. More charges could possibly be added against him as the investigation continues.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is also investigating the shooting incident. He is expected to appear in court soon and police are still in pursuit of the remaining suspect.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the sterling work done by the members in Masoyi for their swift response thereby arresting the suspect and recovered a firearm.
