MTUBATUBA SAPS are investigating cases of business robbery and attempted murder after a gunfight outside People’s Choice tavern on Sunday resulted in the shooting of a police officer.
The incident occurred at about 8.30am when tavern manager Yitong Chen and his wife were opening up for the day.
According to Chen, four men wearing caps held them at gunpoint and demanded money. Chen handed over R26 000 and a cell phone, after which one of the suspects assaulted him with a firearm before thy fled the scene.
While no shooting occurred inside the tavern, Chen told police officers he had heard gun shots fired outside.
Investigating officers picked up 14 spent cartridges and one live round. A CCTV unit was damaged during the incident.
While the robbery was underway, police officers Sgt Madide and Const Masuku from KwaMsane SAPS, who were patrolling in the vicinity, were called to the scene by passersby.
On their arrival, the four suspects fled the scene and opened fire on the police vehicle. Sgt Madide returned fire and, during the shoot-out, Const Masuku sustained gunshot wounds to the right hand and arm.
The police vehicle was left with multiple bullet holes and estimated damages of R50 000.
After disabling the police vehicle by shooting the radiator, the suspects fled in a Toyota Corolla. Const Masuku was taken to hospital.
No arrests have been made and Mtubatuba SAPS is appealing to the public to come forward with any information on the suspects or their whereabouts.
Mtuba shoot-out leaves police officer wounded
The suspects in the armed robbery are still at large
