By Augustine Ehikioya
Responding to a tip off, South African Police Service (SAPS) officers in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province in the early hours of today foiled an armed robbery operation at a Post Office.
But before they could succeed, they met stiff resistance from the armed suspects, who shot at them in their bid to escape with their loots.
A press statement from the Office of the Provincial Commissioner KwaZulu-Natal, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA) said the armed suspects were eventually overpowered and arrested.
The statement said “Earlier this morning at 09:00, Ekuvukeni SAPS received a report of an armed robbery at a Post Office. A team of police officers responded to the incident and were met by a hail of bullets emanating from the group of armed suspects.
“A shoot-out ensued and a suspect believed to be in his forties was fatally wounded. Five other suspects aged between 30 and 45 were placed under arrest. Police recovered three pistols and a variety of ammunition.
The statement, which was issued by Brigadier Jay Naicker, added: “The vehicle that was used by the suspects was impounded by police for further investigation. An undisclosed amount of cash that was stolen during the robbery was recovered by police. The arrested suspects will appear in court next week.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, according to the statement, welcomed the swift arrest of the armed robbers.
“The prompt response by Ekuvukeni SAPS is applauded. We hope that these arrests sends a clear message to criminals who intend to take a chance in this province. Our police officers are up to the task and such arrests are taking place regularly in KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.
In another development, a statement issued by Captain Nqobile Gwala from the Office of the Provincial Commissioner KwaZulu-Natal Province, a 24-year-old man was also arrested in Chatsworth for dealing in drugs and in possession of illegal firearms.
According to the statement, “The KwaZulu-Natal police are on a mission to make the province a crime free zone by putting criminals behind bars. Last night at 20:00, the Provincial Organised Crime Narcotics Team and other units arrested a 24-year-old man in Chatsworth.
“The police officers were conducting their duties when they received information about a man on Taurus Street in Chatsworth who was dealing in drugs and in possession of illegal firearms.
“The team proceeded to the man’s place of residence and requested to search the premises. The search was conducted and a revolver, a pistol and 251 rounds of ammunition were found from the suspect. The police also found 4803 orange and white capsules of heroin, 198 dark blue capsules of heroin, 380 light blue heroin capsules and 1002 rock cocaine. A total of R18,790:00 cash suspected to be the proceeds of drugs was seized from the suspect.
“The total value of the recovered drugs is R300,000:00. The suspect was placed under arrest for charges of unlawful possession of firearms, possession of ammunition and dealing in drugs. He is expected to appear before the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 06 September 2021,” the statement stated.
Another statement by Captain Nqobile Gwala disclosed that a 35-year-old suspect who was arrested for murder was billed to appear before Pongola Magistrates Court.
Giving details of the crime, the statement said “On 01 September, 2021 at 19:30, Pongola police officers received a report of a person who was shot at Godlwayo area in Pongola. Upon arrival at the scene, the body of a 24-year-old man was found with gunshot wounds on the chest.
“He was certified dead at the scene. Another man was grazed by a bullet and managed to escape after they were shot by a known suspect. Charges of murder and attempted murder were opened at Pongola SAPS.
“In the early hours of yesterday, Pongola SAPS followed up on information regarding the suspect who was wanted for murder. The team proceeded to Madibhini area in Pongola where the suspect was found asleep at his homestead. A search was conducted inside the house and police found a revolver with 18 rounds of ammunition.”
He said that the investigation conducted at the scene revealed that the firearm was stolen in 2006 at Gauteng province.
“The 35-year-old suspect was placed under arrest for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was also positively linked to the case of murder. He is appearing before the Pongola Magistrates Court today for charges of murder as well as illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, ” the statement said.