The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended members for their swift response which led to the arrest of two alleged robbers who reportedly fired shots at police.
The incident is said to have occurred at Tekamahala near Calcutta in Bushbuckridge in the evening of Sunday, 27 March 2022 around 19:00.
According to the report, on the said day, members of the service received information about a robbery that was planned to be carried out at a certain shopping centre called Sizanani. The members at Calcutta then operationalised the said information and proceeded to the scene whereupon the suspected robbers were spotted in a gold Toyota Avanza.
It is said that the suspects began firing shots when they noticed the presence of the police while attempting to flee. Police then retaliated to defend themselves whilst pursuing the vehicle driven by suspects. The alleged robbers were then cornered soon after their vehicle was brought to a halt as its wheel got damaged during the crossfire.
The members conducted a search on the two suspects as well as their vehicle.
A firearm was found inside the Toyota Avanza whereupon two suspects, aged 24 (male) and 26 (female) respectively were arrested. Both suspected robbers sustained serious injuries on their lower bodies during the shootout with police but they are receiving medical treatment.
The seized firearm will be subjected to ballistic tests and police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges to the suspects. Meanwhile the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will also conduct their investigation into the incident.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court soon facing a charge of unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela further issued a stern warning to those who attack police officers that they will be dealt with accordingly. “The situation whereby criminals will attacks police can never be tolerated and police will always deal decisively with such acts,” warned the General.
