GQEBERHA – While the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene lauds the excellent work of police members for the speedy arrests of three suspects allegedly involved in robbing two SAPS members in Wells Estate this morning, 27 August 2022, she strongly condemns the attack on police officials.

It is alleged that at about 07:40, SAPS Swartkops members were attending to a murder in Malinga Street in Wells Estate when the two officers were approached by three armed men. They were robbed of their firearms, cellphones and wallets. The members were then placed at the back of the police van and the suspects drove off with the police vehicle.

While they were in Gijana Street in Wells Estate, the suspects stopped and allegedly hijacked another vehicle, a Renault. The driver was forced out of his vehicle and the suspects got into his vehicle and drove off leaving the police vehicle behind with the members still at the back.

The Renault was found abandoned further down the street.

Cases of Armed robbery (x2), vehicle hijacking (x2) and kidnapping was opened.

At about 10:30, the same morning, a couple was driving in 8th Avenue in Walmer when three armed men suddenly tried to stop their vehicle, a VW Polo. The driver, aged 36 on realising what was happening, sped off to SAPS Walmer. SAPS Walmer immediately responded with the complainant following behind. When the suspects, who were on foot noticed the police vehicle, they boarded a taxi. The taxi was stopped and the suspects identified. The suspects were taken back to 8th Avenue where they were seen walking. Three firearms (9mm pistols) were found lying along the pavement in different spots. The suspects aged between 30 and 35 years old are in custody. Two of the firearms belong to the police members that were robbed in Wells Estate. Police have opened cases of attempted hijacking as well as three cases of illegal possession of firearms.

While police were still at the scene in Walmer, information received of a murder in CJ Langenhoven Drive (Mount Road area). It is alleged that three suspects approached the deceased vehicle on foot as he was driving his red Nissan Corsa bakkie up CJ Langenhoven Drive. Several shots were fired at the driver who died at the scene. A female passenger in the vehicle sustained a gunshot wound to her right leg. An infant in the vehicle did not sustain any injuries. It is further alleged that the suspects got into a silver Toyota Yaris and sped off. The silver Yaris was found abandoned in 6th Avenue and Lloyd Streets in Walmer. Cases of murder and attempted murder were opened.

The suspects have been detained on all of the above cases.

A Special Task team has been established to follow up on information and confirm the linkages to all of the above cases.

Lt Gen Mene expressed her appreciation and commended the swift action of the members involved including the involvement of the attempted hijacking complainant.’ Our task team consisting of seasoned detectives, Local Criminal Record Centre and Crime Intelligence will leave no stone unturned in their investigations. Criminals who blatantly disrespect and have no fear of the law will be dealt with accordingly,’ warned Lt Gen Mene.

Source: South African Police Service