KwaZulu-Natal: Constantly alert Durban Flying Squad members and a security company, arrested three suspects and recovered three unlicensed firearms at North Coast road this morning.
The members were conducting their patrols around North Coast road when they were informed about a white Toyota Fortuner suspected to be involved in house robbery cases in the area. The members and security company intensified their patrols and the said vehicle fitting the same description given to them was spotted. They gave chase and the suspects alighted from the vehicle and allegedly fired shots towards the members. The members retaliated and one suspect was shot and wounded. He was taken to hospital for treatment and the other two suspects were arrested. Three unlicensed firearms and ammunition were recovered from them. The vehicle used by the suspects was checked and found to be positively stolen from the Eastern Cape province.
The members also found a TV set, jewellery, laptop, crew bar, police radio and clothing inside the vehicle. The recovered firearms, a .38 revolver and two pistols will be sent for ballistic testing to establish if they were used in any other crimes in the province. The suspects aged between 27 and 28 will appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court soon facing possession of unlicensed firearm, possession of property suspected to be stolen and attempted murder.
The KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa commended the members for arresting the suspects and confiscating the unlicensed firearms as well as suspected stolen goods. “I warned criminals that they must not shoot at the police while being approached with intent to arrest them. The police will defend themselves should they come under attack. The arrested suspects will be profiled to check if they are not wanted for any other crimes in the greater Durban area and surroundings,” he said.