House robber shot by police during intense exchange of fire, as several suspects flee on foot! Two alleged house robbers were apprehended in the Maseding section of Marapyane, Mmametlhake, Mpumalanga, following a dramatic shootout with police.
The arrests took place early on Sunday morning around 3 a.m., in an intense confrontation that unfolded across two separate locations.
Police Operation Foils Planned House Robbery
According to Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson, Captain Magonseni Nkosi, the police were conducting a high-density operation when they received a tip-off about an impending house robbery in Marapyane.
Acting on this information, members of the Tactical Response Team were dispatched to the area to investigate.
While gathering information from the complainant, the officers observed a suspicious white Volkswagen Polo without registration plates arriving at the scene.
This development escalated the situation, as the suspects immediately reversed and opened fire on the police upon noticing their presence.
High-Speed Chase and Shootout
In response to the gunfire, the Tactical Response Team returned fire, leading to a shootout as three of the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled into nearby bushes. Meanwhile, the VW Polo sped off, triggering a high-speed police chase through Marapyane.
Captain Nkosi reported that the vehicle was eventually tracked down to a residence in the Legodi section of Marapyane. Here, police discovered one of the suspects, a 38-year-old man, suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body, which he indicated were sustained during the earlier altercation.
The second suspect, aged 30 and believed to be the driver, was also found hiding at the premises, still in possession of the car keys.
Second Confrontation with Armed Suspects
As officers continued their investigation at the Legodi premises, a grey VW Jetta unexpectedly arrived on the scene.
Upon seeing the police presence, the occupants exited the vehicle and opened fire on the officers. Police responded, and the suspects from the Jetta fled on foot, abandoning their vehicle.
Inside the VW Polo, police recovered two firearms, adding to the evidence against the alleged robbers. A suitcase, believed to have been stolen from the same victim in a previous robbery in July, was also found on the premises.
According to police reports, this suitcase initially contained an undisclosed sum of money.
Evidence Collected at the Scene
The shootout and subsequent searches yielded a substantial amount of evidence, including 28 spent cartridges from an R5 assault rifle and 10 spent cartridges from a 9mm pistol at both crime scenes.
The police seized the VW Polo, VW Jetta, and the recovered firearms as evidence for further investigation.
Captain Nkosi confirmed that the 30-year-old suspect is set to appear before the Mbibane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, while the 38-year-old suspect remains under police guard in the hospital. He is expected to make his court appearance as soon as he is medically fit.
Commissioner Commends Tactical Response Team
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the Tactical Response Team for their dedication and swift actions that led to the arrests.
“I would like to commend the outstanding work done by the Tactical Response Team,” said Major General Mkhwanazi, emphasizing that the incident reflects the police’s commitment to tackling violent crime in the region.
In his statement, Mkhwanazi also issued a stern warning to criminals, saying, “I want to warn criminals that attacking the police is a declaration of war against the State.”
His message underscored the police’s resolve to defend themselves against any hostility, especially as they continue to tackle criminal activity that threatens public safety.
Conclusion: Ongoing Investigation and Court Proceedings
The arrests and evidence collected from this operation mark a significant step in addressing house robberies in Mpumalanga. As the investigation continues, police are determined to hold the perpetrators accountable and to discourage similar acts of violence in the future.
With the suspects facing serious charges, the upcoming court proceedings are expected to shed further light on the full scope of their alleged crimes.
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