Police have arrested three men, seized an unlicensed firearm and two vehicles following a brazen shootout on the N2 near Tsolo on Wednesday, November 24.
According to police spokesperson Seargeant Majola Nkohli, on November 24, 2021 at about 01:30, it is alleged that the Highway Patrol vehicle was travelling on the N2 busy with routine patrols when they spotted a suspicious vehicle, a white Ford vehicle.
“Attempts to pull it off the road failed, resulting in a brief high speed chase, suspects opened fire, and police retaliated. It is further said that near Sidwadweni Location, suspects alighted their vehicle and ran in between houses, but the police managed to arrest one suspect and recovered a firearm with no ammunition,” said Nkohli.
He added that the serial number of the seized firearm was filed off. Inside an abandoned vehicle, there was a police reflective jacket and a bullet resistant vest.
“A vehicle was impounded for further investigation. Moments later, as the same police officers were on their way to SAPS Tsolo, it is said that a white Toyota Corolla travelling on the N2 with five occupants, at least one of them armed with an automatic rifle opened fire and damaged a police vehicle and a shootout ensued.”
According to Nkohli, police managed to apprehend two suspects, one of them sustained gunshot wounds. He said three other suspects managed to flee and are still at large. He added that an abandoned Toyota vehicle was also seized for further investigation.
“An injured man was treated at the nearest hospital, and discharged. No officers were injured during the two incidents, the three men are positively linked in at least six serious violent crimes such as business robberies. The three suspects aged between 18 and 23 are due to appear in court soon on the charges ranging from attempted murder to possession of unlicensed firearm.”
He said police are urging anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the other suspects to contact the investigating officer, Detective Captain Mthetheleli Nongcawula at 082 319 8239. Nkohli said that callers may remain anonymous and all information will be treated strictly confidential.
The acting District Commissioner Brigadier Vukile Ntandane commended the police officers for their swift action.
“I am pleased by the members swift tactical reaction, which led to the arrests and recovery of a firearm, which is yet to be sent to the laboratory for ballistic tests,” said Ntandane.
