UPDATE: November 22
Amandawe and its people can once again sleep in peace following the arrest of the gunman suspected of killing two people.
The 25-year-old suspect was taken into police custody this morning, following his arrest in the Ixopo area where he had been in hiding.
He is due to appear in the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court this Friday, facing a slew of charges ranging from murder to robbery.
“A 9mm pistol, believed to be the weapon used in the commission of these crimes has been recovered,” said Scottburgh SAPS communications officer, Captain Vincent Pandarum.
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Acting on information, the police proceeded to Folweni where it was believed that the suspect had been staying. Police later learned that he had fled to Ixopo.
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Police also seized various cellphones, a tablet, dagger, watches, a pair of bloodstained pants, memory cards and sim cards.
The suspect was also linked to a murder in Hibberdene and one in Umkomaas.
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ORIGINAL STORY: November 7
The Amandawe community is living in fear after two people were killed in two separate armed robberies in the area.
On Monday evening last week an armed man targeted three people walking along Dexter Road.
Scottburgh SAPS told the Mail that the shooter had relieved the three men of their cellphones and cash.
One managed to flee the scene on foot, but the others weren’t as fortunate.
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“He shot his first victim in the leg and the second in the mouth and shoulder,” said Scottburgh SAPS communications officer, Captain Vincent Pandarum.
There was another attack last Friday.
Makhosazane Mary Jane Mokoena (34) was returning to her home at around 8pm when she was shot near Zama Store. Hearing her cry for help, her brother rushed outside where he found her lying in a pool of blood.
“She was declared dead on arrival at GJ Crookes Hospital in Scottburgh. Her handbag, containing her personal belongings, including her cellphone, had been stolen,” said Captain Pandarum.
Just 15 minutes later and less than a kilometre away in Ndosi Road, there was another armed attack.
A gunshot was heard and 23-year-old Siyabonga Ngcobo was found, bleeding from the neck. He was declared dead at the scene. There was no evidence of robbery and the motive for the shooting is yet to be established.
Shortly afterwards, a 23-year-old man and his 17-year-old sister were waiting for transport at bus shelter number four, when a man wielding a gun robbed the man of his cellphone.
“The gunman assaulted the brother and demanded money, at which point the sister, fearing for her life, ran away, leaving behind her handbag,” said Captain Pandarum. Her brother followed her shortly afterwards.
The assailant made off with both their cellphones, a wallet, money and toiletries.
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Scottburgh SAPS confirms that in all instances, the suspect was described as a slightly-built man estimated to be in his late 20s. He was last seen dressed in a pair of blue denim pants and a hooded jacket with a fur lining around the face.
The firearm used has been confirmed as a 9mm pistol, and all the attacks took place near the Amandawe T-junction.
No arrests have been made as yet and an appeal is made for anyone with any information to contact the Scottburgh SAPS Detectives at 039-9781900, their local police at 10111 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
“Members of the Amandawe community are advised to be extra vigilant, especially as darkness falls, and to report any suspicious persons to the Scottburgh SAPS. They are also warned not to resort to vigilantism or take the law into their own hands. If anyone is suspected of being involved in any crime, they are urged report it to the police and not resort to mob justice,” Captain Pandarum warned.
Cases of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery have been registered for investigation.
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