Following up on a reported murder case in Maruping, Kuruman, the police arrested five suspects after a wild chase and a shootout.
Police were on the trail of suspects who were allegedly involved in the murder of a 42-year-old man in the early hours of Sunday, 18 June, in Maruping.
Sgt Timothy Sam, media spokesperson, said members of the police’s Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Flying Squad, under the command of Capt. Chumani Yono, were mobilised to effect the arrests.
The suspects’ vehicle was traced along the Mothibistad road, and the occupants failed to adhere to police instructions to stop, and they sped off, Sam said.
The police members gave chase. One of the occupants in the suspects’ vehicle was seen pointing an object resembling a firearm to the police.
A shootout ensued that brought the suspects’ vehicle to a halt. In searching the vehicle, the police members discovered two more occupants in the boot who were believed to be the murder suspects. One was wounded and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
Five suspects, aged 24 years to 57 years old, were arrested and charged for attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, kidnapping, resisting arrest and failure to stop a vehicle on a reasonable instruction of a police officer.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident.
All suspects will appear in the Kuruman Magistrate Court soon.
The acting provincial commissioner, Maj. Gen. Mmantsheke Lekhele, applauded the team for their swift response and the tactical way they approached the situation without any police member being injured.
