KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, has commended the police’s swift arrests of six suspects in connection with an armed robbery in Blackburn Village, Verulam.
This arrest followed a dramatic car chase and shootout on the N2 south bound. Yesterday, 19 February 2015 at approximately 14h00, a 30 year old woman was allegedly robbed of cash, airtime vouchers and cigarettes at her tuck-shop by armed men in Verulam.
The suspects jumped into a vehicle which was waiting for them and fled the scene. The community reacted swiftly by providing the police with the description of the vehicle and the direction in which the suspects fled. Police then spotted the vehicle along the N2 south bound and a dramatic high speed car chase and shootout ensued before police managed to stop the suspects’ car and arrest them. Nobody was hurt.
Three unlicensed firearms were recovered and would be sent for ballistic tests to ascertain if they were not used in any other crimes.
The suspects will appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court soon. Today, 20 February 2015 Mchunu commended the collective effort by the SAPS, Metro Police and community members.“It is indeed inspiring to see the results of a good working relationship between the police and the community. Police are here to keep us safe, but the community needs to be the eyes and ears of the police and these arrests serve as a clear example of how beneficial and fruitful this partnership is.
“I would like to urge the community of KZN to never stop working closely with their community safety structures and the police, as this relationship paves the way for crucial arrests of criminals and defeating crime,” said Mchunu.
Media contact:
Sipho Khumalo
Cell: 082 6826437
E-mail: Sipho.Khumalo@comsafety.gov.za
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 072 803 1462/079 699 5755
E-mail: Kwanele.Ncalane@kzntransport.gov.za
