LIMPOPO – Four suspects arrested for attempted murder and possession illegal firearms and ammunition appeared before the Mokerong Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Thursday).
The four men, three from Durban and one from the Benoni, were arrested following a shootout with the police at Steiloop shopping complex on Tuesday morning, according to Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.
A police officer was wounded during the shootout.
All four suspects have been remanded in custody and are set to reappear in court on 26 January for a formal bail application.
Tuesday, 17 January
LIMPOPO – Four people aged between 36 and 47 were arrested by police in Mahwelereng today for their suspected involvement in a police shooting at Gilead recently.
The suspects were traveling in a silver VW Polo along the N11 near Masodi village when they were apprehended after a manhunt was launched in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday), according to Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.
“The incident in question took place at the Steiloop Shopping Complex at approximately 01:00 this morning, when a police constable was injured during a shoot-out between the police and gunmen. According to information, members of the police were driving from the complex when they saw a suspicious looking VW Golf GTI without number plates parked on the side of the road. Three people standing to the back of the vehicle opened fire on the police members who returned fire. A police officer was subsequently injured,” he said.
The officers transported the injured member to safety where after the officers returned to the scene where they again came under fire. The suspects allegedly made away in two vehicles, a Mercedes Benz and a double-cab bakkie.
About 35 spent 9mm cartridges, 2x 9 mm pistols, one shoe as well as one cellphone were found at the scene.
The injured officer is in hospital in stable condition.
Following the intensive manhunt and arrest of the four suspects, the following were confiscated:
3 x R5 live rounds
8 x pistol live rounds
8 x cellphones
2 x pistols
2 x AK 47 Riffle cartridges
31 x R5 riffle cartridges
1 x 9mm Pistol cartridges
Police say more arrests are imminent.
