Time on the run came to an end for one of the men wanted for shooting and assaulting members of the Sebenza SAPS while they were patrolling on August 20.
Constable Sabelo Nkosi of the Sebenza SAPS arrested one of the suspects on November 5, after receiving a tip-off about the suspect being seen at a location in Witbank.
At the time, Sebenza SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Sharon Tsotsotso said the members were driving a marked police vehicle on patrol when they stopped a white Ford Focus with three men in it.
“The driver exited the vehicle and told the police the registration disc of the vehicle was in the boot. Accompanied by one of the officers, the driver went to the boot while the other members kept guard. While he was getting his disc, the other two men in the vehicle jumped out and grabbed the SAPS member. They took his firearm and assaulted him,” said Sgt Tsotsotso.
She said the men started shooting towards the police and fled the scene.
“They took the police vehicle keys and jumped into the Ford before driving off. The police members were slightly injured and were taken to hospital for treatment,” said Sgt Tsotsotso.
Sgt Tsotsotso said two cellular phones and a driver’s licence were found at the scene.
“It looks like these fell from the suspects during the scuffle with the police,” she said.
She said it was later discovered that the suspects had attempted to hijack a BMW in Norkem Park earlier that day but failed.
It is alleged that they drove to an open veld at Essellen Park in Tembisa and set the vehicle they were travelling in on fire before they fled.
“Community members tried to give chase but the suspects managed to evade a citizens’ arrest,” said Sgt Tsotsotso.
Cst Nkosi said they applied tracing techniques to locate the whereabouts of the suspect.
He said the suspect was identified and the area was visited by members of the SAPS.
He rushed to Witbank as soon as he received the call that the suspect was indeed the man they were looking for.
“I received the call around midnight that the suspect was identified by neighbours and I rushed to Witbank because I didn’t want to miss him,” said Const Nkosi.
He said the suspect was found sleeping and he was arrested on the spot.
Cst Nkosi said their records show that the suspect was out on parole after he was sentenced to 38 years in 1994 for murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and robberies.
“On investigating, we realised the suspect was released on parole in 2012. We discovered that he had absconded his correctional services visits as required,” said Const Nkosi.
Const Nkosi said it is his passion for the job that keeps him on his toes.
“I joined the SAPS in 2000 and bringing those who commit crime to justice is what drives me. No matter where you run to, we will find you,” said Const Nkosi.
The other two suspects are still on the run.
