Two White River Flying Squad members were apprehended, while one remains on the run, following an incident that occurred in Kaalrug near Malalane on the evening of August 17.
Members of the Provincial Tracking Team, the National Crime Intelligence and Bravolor-Risk recovered six rifles, two pistols, a bag of explosives, cable and battery at about 22:30 that evening.
A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, had earlier confirmed to Lowvelder that the arrested members are suspected to have been involved in cash-in-transit heists and ATM bombings.
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According to a later statement by the police, law enforcement members had tracked the firearms, which were allegedly from Schoemansdal en route to KaNyamazane. The firearms and explosives had allegedly been collected by the members of the White River Flying Squad. While on the road, the tracking team tried to stop the flying squad members’ vehicle.
“A chase ensued and the flying squad dumped their cargo on a sugar cane farm. The tracking team tried again to stop them through siren and blue lights, but to no avail. They had to resort to shooting the wheel of the car, and that is when it came to a halt,” the statement read.
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The suspects got out of their vehicle and fled on foot.
“A constable was immediately arrested, while the other two disappeared in the darkness.”
A second suspect, a sergeant, was arrested this morning, August 18, hiding in a farrow next to the road. The third suspect is still at large, and the police are continuing with their investigations.
The two suspects are expected to appear in the Malelane Periodical Court on Monday August 21, facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions as well as the contravention of the Explosives Act. More charges may possibly be added.
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