EIGHT months after a brazen shoot-out with robbers at Five Ways Mall in Empangeni, police have nabbed the alleged mastermind behind the orchestrated hit that left one policeman wounded.
Described as a ‘most wanted suspect’ who has been on the run in KZN for two years, the 34-year-old man was apprehended at KwaDlangezwa near the University of Zululand’s campus on Thursday afternoon.
Members of Empangeni Crime Intelligence, together with the Rapid Response Police Unit: KZN, began the search following a tip-off relating to a stolen vehicle that the suspect was driving.
This led the joint task team to a homestead in Nkonjane area at about 2pm, where the vehicle was identified – a blue VW Polo hijacked in October at Phoenix outside Durban.
The suspect was apprehended and charged for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, while an occupant in the car and a third person in the vicinity were searched at the scene.
‘The man is detained at Mtunzini SAPS and linked by means of fingerprints to other cases, including armed robbery, business robbery, attempted murder, house-breaking, carjacking, theft of motor vehicle and stock theft,’ said Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose.
The crimes were committed in Richards Bay, Empangeni, Pongola, Ongoye, Mtunzini, Pongola, Newlands East and Phoenix.
Evading arrest several times, he had also fled to eManguzi and eDumbe.
In May last year he was involved in a robbery at Tops at Spar in Empangeni, shooting and injuring a Durban-based policeman who had intercepted the armed gang.
The suspect is believed to be the son of a well-known Induna.
He will appear at the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court today (Monday) and is expected to be sent to Durban to face other charges.
Police say more arrests are imminent.
