POTCHEFSTROOM – The police in Phokeng arrested on Friday, 23 July 2021, a 47-year-old male suspect for attempted murder, pointing of firearm and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

The suspect was arrested after he allegedly attempted to shoot and kill a traffic officer. According to information available at this stage, reports suggest that two traffic officers were on duty with a marked vehicle when they stopped a Toyota Corolla on the R565 road in Boshoek outside Phokeng. That was after the driver failed to obey a stop sign. After stopping next to the road, the driver got out of the car and approached the traffic officers and apologised.

In the meantime, the other traffic officer went to the vehicle where three other occupants were still seated. He then spotted a firearm in the vehicle and went back to alert his colleague. The suspect who apparently overheard the conversation, pulled a pistol from his waist and attempted to shoot the traffic officers, but the firearm jammed. Upon noticing what was happening, the traffic officer’s colleague allegedly fired a shot, hitting the suspect on the upper body. Consequently, the wounded suspect and his three passengers ran away in different directions. However, the wounded suspect fell on the ground a few metres away from the scene. He was arrested after police were summoned. The injured suspect was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. Upon processing the scene, the police found and confiscated three pistols, a shot gun and live ammunition. Meanwhile, a manhunt has been launched for the remaining three suspects. The arrested suspect is expected to appear in court soon.

The acting District Commissioner of Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2, Brigadier Joel Pheto commended traffic officers for their vigilance which led to the arrest of the suspect and seizure of the firearms and ammunition.

Source: South African Police Service