High-speed chase and shootout: One shot

A stock-theft suspect has been shot after a high-speed chase and shootout with police.

The incident took place on 22 June at approximately 2am, on the R500 which runs from Carletonville towards Randfontein, said Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson.

Members of the West Rand Flying Squad spotted a minibus suspected to be involved in stock theft and followed it in an attempt to stop and search it.

The driver sped off and the Flying Squad gave chase. The suspects allegedly opened fire on the officers, who returned fire. The minibus stopped, and four suspects emerged from the vehicle to flee on foot.

On closer inspection, police found the vehicle contained a number of sheep, as well as one suspect who had been shot in the upper body.

The suspect was later taken to a local hospital and the vehicle and the recovered stock were taken to the Randfontein Police Station, Ernst said. 

Unfortunately, some of the sheep died as a result of suffocation. The SPCA was contacted to care for the survivors.

The Stock Theft Unit will now be investigating the matter. The Acting Randfontein Station Commander, Colonel Tshidi Filita, said she was pleased that officers are committed to curbing stock theft, which is a growing concern in Randfontein.