A suspected hijacker was arrested and is in hospital under police guard following a shoot-out with the Shangaan Hill police in Bushbuckridge on Monday April 24.
A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said the Bushbuckridge police were patrolling the Shangaan Hill area at about 12:30 when they spotted a white Toyota Quantum, which matched a description of the one that reported hijacked in Bolobedu, Limpopo.
He said the police tried to stop the vehicle, however, the suspect opened fire and a shoot-out ensued.
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Mohlala said the police managed to force the Quantum off the road and brought it to a halt. Two suspects climbed out of the vehicle and one of them fled the scene. The other had sustained two gunshot wounds and was arrested before being rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remains under police guard.
He said when the police searched the vehicle, they found one rifle, one 9mm pistol and a live round of ammunition for it.
Mohlala urged anyone with information about the other suspect to contact the investigating officer, Detective Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Mashego, on 082 469 1298. Alternatively, call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or send information via the My SAPS app.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the police recovered a 9mm pistol in Schoemansdal.
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Mohlala said the local police had received information that some community members had gathered around a man’s residence on Monday April 24 at about 23:00. “On the police’s arrival, a search was conducted, which led to the recovery of the firearm.” He said the suspect, a 27-year-old man, failed to produce a firearm licence and was therefore arrested and charged for the possession of an unlicensed firearm.
He is expected to appear in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court today, April 25. The outcome of his court appearance was unknown at the time of publishing.
