Off-duty cops apprehend armed robbers

Three suspected armed robbers are expected to appear in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court today (Friday) after off-duty cops witnessed an alleged armed robbery and gave chase of the suspects yesterday (Thursday) morning.

Provincial Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe said off-duty Police officers Joe Shingange, Johan Sanderson and Vukatimuni Mushwana approached a stop sign on the NkowaNkowa/Tzaneen road when saw an alleged robbery in progress. “The officers were not in uniform or armed but were brave enough to approach the scene.  The suspects had robbed a motorist of R400 cash and a bag of clothes but when saw the officials approaching they fled the scene in a Corsa bakkie and Chevrolet sedan,” Ngoepe said.

Police allegedly gave chase after the bakkie and when the suspects noticed that the officials were not abandoning their pursuit they jumped from the vehicle and ran into the bush. “The unarmed cops had no choice but to use stones as weapons pelting the suspects while giving chase on foot. They caught up with one suspect who had a firearm in his possession. The Tzaneen Tracing Unit was called for back-up and two more were arrested hiding in the bush,” Ngoepe said, adding that another firearm was confiscated.

Ngoepe said the Corsa bakkie seems to have been stolen in Polokwane recently. The other vehicle and suspects are still at large. Anyone with information can contact Tzaneen Cluster Commander Thomas Shingange on 082 565 8155.

Story: RC Myburgh
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Featured photo: The Corsa bakkie that was confiscated after three alleged armed robbers were arrested outside Tzaneen yesterday (Thursday). It is suspected that the vehicle might have been stolen in Polokwane recently.