(SAPS)
22 January 2009
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Bheki Cele
has applauded a swift move by the police in bizarre shootout which resulted in
the sudden death of five armed robbers. This follows a tip off which led to a
confrontation between members of the South African Police Service(SAPS)
organised crime unit and the armed men on the N3 north bound near Camperdown
yesterday afternoon, Thursday.
Preliminary reports have revealed that the incident occurred after the SAPS
detectives received information that a minibus carrying nine men with firearms
was on its way to Pietermaritzburg to commit armed robbery. The police ordered
the driver to pull over to the side of the road. It is alleged that as the
minibus stopped, the suspects opened fire on the SAPS, forcing the police to
return fire in self defence. This resulted in the killing of five suspects and
the immediate arrest of four. One member of the police was slightly injured
during the shootout. Several firearms belonging to the suspects were
confiscated by the police. Police investigation is still underway.
"Reports have indicated that in KwaZulu-Natal alone about 24 police officers
have been killed in line of duty in the current financial year. It is on that
score that as government will continue to encourage our officers to act
decisively in threatening situations and not surrender and die with guns in
their pockets. The arrested suspects will be charged for attempted armed
robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and attempted murder on members of
the police. This serves as a warning to everybody that the police are serious
about fighting fire with fire," said Cele.
Enquiries:
Mrs Nonkululeko Mbatha
Cell: 083 645 6252
Issued by: Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison,
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
22 January 2009
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kzntransport.gov.za)
