The police in Middelburg defended themselves after being shot at by an armed suspect in the late hours of 4 October 2021. The shootout incident occurred at Mhluzi near Middelburg.
According to reports, a team of Detectives were following up on information on the whereabouts of suspects in connection with two business robberies that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 2 October 2021 at Middelburg.
The astute members managed to apprehend two male suspects. During the arrest, two vehicles, a black Audi A4 and a gold Audi A4 were also confiscated for purposes of investigation.
These members then continued with their duties and went to a certain house at Mhluzi and as they reportedly opened the door to conduct a search, they were met with a hail of bullets as the suspect abruptly started firing shots at the said members, injuring one.
The members then defended themselves where they shot back at the suspect who later succumbed to his injuries.
The injured member was taken to hospital and a case of attempted murder was opened accordingly.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was notified about the incident. The two suspects, aged 35 and 38 are expected to appear before the Middleburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 6 October 2021 in connection with two business robbery incidents.
Police cannot rule out the possibility of linking the two men to other crimes committed elsewhere.
The Provincial Commissioner of South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has strongly condemned the unruly behaviour of attacking police who were busy working and further wished a speedy recovery to the injured member.
