SAPS efforts to curb trio crimes paid off when two (2) suspects were arrested and two (2) firearms seized during a foiled robbery yesterday afternoon, 2 November 2020.
It is alleged that on 2 November 2020 at about 09:00 the Tactical Response Team (TRT) members deployed at OR Tambo District to deal with trio crimes followed up information on a possible robbery at one of the businesses in Qumbu.
Whilst still observing the navy blue VW Polo which matched the description of the vehicle that was to be used in the commission of business robbery, suspects spotted the members and fled. Police chased after them and whilst on the N2 near Ziphunzana locality the suspects started firing towards the police members. Police returned fire forcing the suspects to abandon their vehicle. One suspect approximately 25 years old was fatally wounded and two other suspects aged 24 and 34 were arrested. The 34-year-old suspect is under police guard in hospital. One suspect managed to flee and the police are following leads to track, trace and arrest him.
The VW Polo used in the commissioning of crime was seized. Two firearms, a 9 mm Norinco pistol with 07 rounds of ammunition and a .38 Revolver with 01 round of ammunition were confiscated. The .38 Revolver was reported stolen in Simonstown.
The suspect will appear in the Libode Magistrates Court soon on charges of attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Acting Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Major General Tembisile Patekile commended the members for the arrests and confiscations. “When operational policing services are directed and coordinated, arrests are effected to prevent and combat crime. Our efforts are directed into clamping down trio crimes, violent crime and the proliferation of unlicensed firearms throughout the Province,” he added.