Two men were arrested following a high-speed car chase and shootout with police in Melmoth in KwaZulu Natal on Monday.
The suspects are wanted in connection with the armed robbery and shooting of an off-duty police officer on Sunday.
Police spokesperson Jay Naicker says the suspects have appeared in court. “They overpowered him and robbed him of his service pistol, as well as his vehicle. He was shot several times by the suspects and he was taken to hospital where he remains in serious condition. Police officers from the K9 units and Ulundi Tactical Response team followed up information with regards to the suspects involved and they spotted the vehicle used by the suspects in the Melmoth area. A shootout ensued between the suspects and police. The suspects lost control of the vehicle and two men aged 23 and 29 were placed under arrest.”
Police Minister Bheki Cele has repeated his call for police to take a hard line against crime. Cele is in the Northern Cape to launch the Safer Festive Season campaign.
Addressing the South African Police Service members, the Minister called on them to restore order.
“It’s important to be hard on criminals. You have no reason to have a relationship with hardcore criminals. When criminals go for cash heists they don’t carry brooms. They prepare. One part of the preparation is to eliminate whoever is on their way. That’s why we give you hard stuff.”
Cele also conducted a walkabout at Diamond Pavillion Mall in Kimberley.
