UPDATE: Stolen goat found in Mariannhill shooting suspect’s vehicle
The suspect’s vehicle was jammed by oncoming traffic and it hit a pole during a cross fire with police.
POLICE have confirmed that a goat, that had reportedly been stolen, was found in the vehicle that had crashed into a street pole on Thornwood Road, Mariannhill yesterday.
The three suspects had been involved in a high-speed chase and shootout with police, said KZN police spokesperson, Col Thembeka Mbele.
She said officers from the Mariannhill Task Team had been acting on information about criminals who were driving a vehicle in the Mariannhill policing precinct when the suspects opened fire at the police officers and they shot back.
ALSO READ: Hillcrest SAPS open murder docket after police discover missing man’s body under bridge
“The suspect’s vehicle was jammed by oncoming traffic and it hit a pole. Three suspects, aged between 22 and 25, were placed under arrest.”
“They were found in possession of two unlicensed firearms and 10 rounds of ammunition. A stolen goat was also found in the suspect’s vehicle,” said Mbele.
Mbele said investigations revealed the goat had been stolen in the Panekeni area in Inchanga.
Two suspects are still in hospital, under police guard, and the third suspect is in police custody.
“A 22-year-old suspect will appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court tomorrow while the other two will appear once they have been discharged from hospital,” said Mbele.
Charges of attempted murder, possession of stolen property, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition are being investigated
The Acting KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Major General Thulani Gonya welcomed the arrest of the suspects.
“I am glad the police officers escaped unscathed during the shootout. The suspects will also be profiled to check their linkages with other cases,” he said.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
