In the early hours of 13 April 2017, the Provincial Tracking Team together with the Tactical Response Team (TRT) acted on information regarding a business robbery which was supposed to be committed in one of the supermarkets at Ogies. Swift action by dedicated police led to the arrest of seven suspects and the confiscation of five firearms.
The arrest of the thugs came as a result of police going to the identified supermarket based on information received where they found a group of armed men. Immediately when the men noticed the police, they opened fire at them and police were compelled to retaliate. They managed to corner and arrest seven of the group members, confiscating five firearms while some managed to abscond the scene in the process.
Out of the seven suspects, five were wounded during the shootout and therefore had to be hospitalised under police guard, whilst two are in police custody. All the suspects are facing cases of attempted business robbery, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The team of men in blue further seized a white getaway motor vehicle of the suspects which was mounted with wrong number plates. The vehicle was loaded with equipment which is used in the commission of housebreakings. The Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has indicated that police will leave no stone unturned when fighting crime.
A manhunt for those who have evaded arrest is in motion and police urge any person who might know their whereabouts to contact Lieutenant Colonel Muntu Mbatha at 082 770 0877, or to call the SAPS Crime Stop number at 08600 10111.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
