Yesterday, police officers from the Empangeni Task Team received information of suspects involved in a house robbery at Esikhaleni. The police officers spotted the vehicle used by the suspects at Nseleni in Empangeni and began to tail the vehicle. The suspects spotted the police officers and opened fire on them.
One of the police officers was shot in his leg. Two suspects were arrested at the scene whilst their partners in crime escaped during the shootout. The vehicle that was used by the suspects, which was stolen in Esikhaleni during the house robbery, was recovered at the scene.
Last night, a follow-up operation was conducted at Ndaya in Esikhaleni to arrest the outstanding suspects. The suspects once again opened fire at police officers as police approached their hideout and a shootout ensued. Three suspects were arrested whilst an accomplice managed to flee during the gun battle. Police recovered a pistol, a network jammer, and four big screen TV’s at the scene. The five suspects will remain in custody pending their appearance at the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court. They face charges of armed robbery, attempted murder, possession of the stolen property, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, unlawful possession of a network jammer as well as charges in terms of the Immigration Act.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, Major General Thulani Gonya welcomed the arrests of the armed robbers. “We are relieved that our police officer is doing well and will make a quick recovery. I am pleased that these notorious criminals are behind bars and will have their day in court,” he said.