A 16 year old undocumented Mozambican national was arrested for drug possession and attempted murder in Redcliffe – KZN a short while ago.
A member of the Redcliffe Community Policing Forum contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) at approximately 10:42 (Saturday) requesting assistance on Redcliffe Drive in Redcliffe – KZN.
On arrival, Reaction Officers were informed that two (2) teenagers attempted to enter Redcliffe Primary School yesterday afternoon (Friday). Members of the church congregation who are conducting their Good Friday service on the school premises approached the teenagers and questioned their intentions.
One of the boys was found in possession of 76 Xanax tablets (picture 1). Members of the congregation attempted contacting Law Enforcement for several hours without success. They thereafter released the teenagers but retained the narcotics.
The 16 year old later return to the school with a group of individuals with the intention of recovering the prescription medication. A Private Security Officer positioned at the entrance of the school denied the group access onto the premises. One of the men produce a knife and repeatedly stabbed the Security Officer on his head.
The church congregation heard the commotion and proceeded to the injured male’s assistance. The suspects demanded that the narcotics be handed over to them and started hurling bricks and stones at the church goers. The congregation managed to defend themselves. The suspects threatened to return and burn the church which operates out of a marquee on the school premises.
They once again contacted Lawrence Enforcement without success. The injured Security Officer was expedited privately to hospital where he received multiple sutures to his head (picture 2).
During today’s (Saturday) church service the teenage suspect was noticed loitering outside the school. He was once again apprehended.
During an interview with Reaction Officers, he stated that he entered South Africa illegally in 2020. He was residing with his uncle in an area popularly known as Sand Pit in Redcliffe – KZN. His uncle was arrested and deported to Mozambique last year. He has since been left to fend for him himself as he has no other family in South Africa.
He further informed Reaction Officers that he obtains his supply of Xanax from an individual in the Verulam CBD – KZN. He then sells the powerful antidepressant to scholars.
The teenager and the exhibits were handed over to the Verulam SAPS for further investigation.
