The reign by alleged business robbers was short-lived as one of them, aged 27 was fatally shot, whilst another, aged 35 got injured and is currently under police guard in hospital.
Two others, aged 27 and 32 were arrested unharmed and are expected to appear in the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 27 July 2023, facing several charges, including business robbery, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms with ammunition.
An assault rifle as well as two pistols with ammunition were also recovered.
The four suspects allegedly stormed into a local restaurant in Tasbetpark Extension 1 in Witbank on Tuesday 25 July 2023 at about 20:00 then robbed the employees an undisclosed amount of cash.
According to the report, cashiers were forced to empty their cash registers and the manager forced to open the cash safe at gunpoint.
Members from Crime Prevention Unit in Witbank rushed to the scene after receiving the information.
Members’ speedy response paid off as they spotted the suspects’ gateway vehicle leaving the premises.
Attempts to stop the robbers were futile, resulting in a high speed chase.
Realising that they could not outsmart the astute members, the suspects are said to have fired several shots towards the police as a possible way of trying to distract them. However suspects met their match as the men and women in Blue returned fire and it was during the process that one of the alleged robbers was fatally shot.
The injured suspect was arrested and is currently receiving medical treatment, the third suspect was also arrested with no injuries reported meanwhile the forth one initially evaded the arrest but was captured when members proceeded searching for him on the afternoon
of Wednesday, 26 July 2023, at a house believed to be of a Traditional healer.
During the time suspects were arrested, two firearms, an AK-47 as well as a pistol were recovered. Meanwhile on the afternoon of 26 July 2023, members recovered the second pistol from the suspect that they arrested.
As investigation is still underway and police cannot rule out possibilities of adding other charges following the string of business robberies in the area.
The seized firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether they were not previously used in other criminal activities.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will also conduct their investigation in relation to the shootout between the suspects and the Police.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended members for their dedication and bringing the perpetrators behind bars, more especially just after a business robbery was committed. “We are elated with the suspects that we have arrested and we also welcome the recovery of the firearms. We indeed mean business when it comes to fighting crime, including violent crimes. We cannot stand and watch whilst our communities are victimised by crime, and subjected to trauma. Let the law take its course” said the General.
