Suspects due in court for firearm and fraud related charges

In the early hours of Monday morning, 16 January 2023, members of the Maitland Flying Squad arrested five suspects aged between 22 and 44 after a high speed chase on the N2 Highway. The members tried to stop a vehicle but the driver refused to stop and sped away with police in pursuit.

The suspects fired several shots at police but were stopped in Wesbank. The vehicle was searched and two firearms with ammunition were found inside the vehicle. The suspects face charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and attempted murder. They are due to appear in the Blue Downs Magistrates court on Wednesday.

In an unrelated matter, Provincial Commercial Crime detectives arrested an adult male for fraud after he employed a group of people misrepresenting themselves as Department of Health employees and charging business owners to have their shops sanitized and issued with compliance certificates. The company was however not registered with the Western Cape Health Department. The police detectives confiscated a cellular telephone and documentation as part of the investigation.

Once charged the suspect will appear in the Bellville Magistrates court.