- Samora Machel police arrested a suspect and recovered a hijacked vehicle, firearm, and ammunition after a high-speed chase on OR Tambo Road.
- The suspect, who was wounded in the incident, is facing multiple charges including possession of a hijacked vehicle.
- Residents in the area expressed frustration with the high levels of crime, including extortion and called for tougher action from law enforcement.
Samora Machel police are investigating cases of possession of a hijacked vehicle, attack on officers and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition after a man was arrested on Thursday 5 September at OR Tambo Road.
Provincial police spokesperson W/O Joseph Swartbooi says the officers attached to K9 were busy on Thursday 5 September at around 11:15 when they noticed a suspicious white Toyota Avanza.
“It came to light that the vehicle was positively reported stolen, which resulted in the police taking action. The driver of the mentioned vehicle disobeyed the instruction of the police officers and opted to drive away. This action resulted in a high speed chase,” says Swartbooi, adding that one of the occupants fired gunshots at the pursuers who took action and wounded one of the suspects.
He said the vehicle collided with a lamp pole and two occupants fled the scene.
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“The suspect was arrested, found in possession of a firearm and transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment,” he said.
Resident Unathi Nkwatshu stated that they are tired of crime. She said she wished the officers had killed all the perpetrators.
Nkwatshu stated that she doesn’t really know what happened.
“I can’t tell you what really happened. But I’ve heard that the suspects shot first at the officers and the officers shot them back,” she stated, adding that she won’t be surprised if the suspects are some of the extortionists in the area.
She said the issue of extortion in the area is high.
“Nobody knows these people (extortionists) but they are terrorising us.
“We are scared to go to the shops because we don’t know when we are going to be shot,” she explained.
