On Thursday 7 March 2019, at about 21:40 Nyanga SAPS attended to an ATM bombing at a Cash and Carry opposite Ramaphosa Informal Settlement in Browns Farm. Whilst the SAPS members searched the area, gunshots rang out where after six suspects came running out of the shop. One of the SAPS members were shot in the right leg.
SAPS returned fire and one suspect, aged 28 was shot in both feet. A firearm with serial number removed, a magazine containing three rounds was found near him. All the other suspects fled the scene.
Both the police official and the suspect were taken to nearby hospitals for medical attention. The 28 year old suspect faces charges of armed robbery, possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition and attack on police.
The second firearm, a Norinco pistol was recovered at about 09:30 by members of MORT during a vehicle control point conducted in Emms Drive, Nyanga.
The members stopped and searched both the vehicle, a Toyota Avanza and the driver, where after they found a firearm with the serial number removed, in the cubby hole of the vehicle. The 34 year old suspect, did not have a licence and could not explain the possession of the firearm, and was arrested. He face a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm.
Both suspects are due to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on the mentioned charges.
In an unrelated matter two suspects a 46 and a 23 year old woman was arrested on Wednesday 6 March 2019, following information that connected them to a firearm that was stolen out of a vehicle in Worcester.
The 23 year old suspect confessed to SAPS and upon following up on her confession the 9mm Norinco firearm with five rounds of ammunition were recovered in River View where it was hidden.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear at Worcester Magistrate’s Court on Friday 8 March 2019.
Charges will be brought against the legitimate owner of the firearm to determine his fitness to possess a firearm.
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