- Samora Machel police arrested a suspect involved in a high-speed chase and shootout after identifying a hijacked vehicle on OR Tambo Road.
- The suspect, found with a firearm, was wounded and taken to a hospital, while two other occupants fled the scene.
- A resident expressed frustration with crime in the area and urged police to take more decisive action against criminals.
Samora Machel police are investigating cases of possession of a hijacked vehicle, an attack on officers and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition following the arrest of a suspect who, together with two others, allegedly shot at police officers on Thursday 5 September in OR Tambo Road.
Provincial police spokesperson W/O Joseph Swartbooi said the officers attached to K9 were on patrol in Samora Machel on Thursday 5 September, around 11:15, when they spotted a suspicious-looking white Toyota Avanza.
“It came to light the vehicle was positively identified as one reported stolen, which prompted action from the police,” he said.
“The driver of the vehicle disobeyed the instruction of the police officers and drove away. This resulted in a high-speed chase.”
Swartbooi added that one of the occupants fired gunshots at the police, who responded in kind and wounded one of the suspects. He said the vehicle collided with a lamp pole and two occupants fled the scene.
“The suspect was arrested, found in possession of a firearm and transported to a nearby hospital,” said Swartbooi.
Resident Unathi Nkwatshu said he and others in the area were tired of crime, adding that she wished the officers had killed all the perpetrators.
She stated she didn’t really know what happened.
“I can’t tell you what really happened. But I’ve heard that the suspects had shot at the officers and the officers shot them back.”
Nkwatshu said she wouldn’t be surprised if the suspects were extortionists who run rife in the area.
