Commissioner, commended the swift actions of SAPS Qumbu members and the Tactical Response Team (TRT) in ensuring that criminals do not have the upper hand after a shootout ensued between police and armed robbers on the 11th of October 2022.
Spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu says that, allegedly at about 09:30 on Tuesday morning, about four armed man entered a shop in the Main Street in Qumbu and held employees and customers at gunpoint before demanding money. The owner of the shop was assaulted with a hammer after which more money was taken from the tills.
She says that SAPS in Qumbu members were alerted of the robbery and immediately responded.
As they approached the entrance of the shop, they were met with a hail of bullets coming from the inside. TRT members arrived as backup and the retaliation between police and the suspects continued. – said Col Naidu.
In the ensuing shootout, three suspects are believed to be aged between 32 and 40 years, were fatally wounded while the fourth suspect aged 48 years old surrendered to the police. One officer is reported to have sustained a graze wound on his left leg.
Col Naidu says the two bakkies suspected to that of the suspects and three firearms were confiscated by police. IPID were informed of the incident.
Lt Gen Mene has iterated that, “We will not share our space nor we will have any mercy on criminals, as we stamp the authority of the State. Criminals are warned that their actions have serious consequences when they find themselves on the wrong side of the law. The arrest of hardened criminals, or the recovery of one illegal firearm, could spare the life of a police officer as well as law abiding citizens. We will not hesitate to defend ourselves and the lives of our citizens while acting within the confines of the law”.
Col Naidu says the arrested suspect is expected to appear in court soon
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