Nelspruit: Armed suspects attacked members of the Grootvlei police station in Mpumalanga and forcefully took three 9 mm pistols, one R5 rifle and one shotgun as well as about 180 live rounds (ammunition).

An additional firearm (one pistol) was taken from the member's possession whilst the rest were stolen from the safe. The incident occurred between Friday night, 02 September 2022 and early hours of Saturday, 03 September 2022.

According to the report, two suspects arrived at the police station on Friday evening, 02 September 2022 around 18:00 claiming to be from Soshanguve under the pretence of reporting a domestic violence incident. They played victims as if they needed help from the two members who were working at the Community Service Centre (CSC) regarding a female who was a victim of domestic violence. The CSC's safety door was locked at that point and they initially left and only to return later around 22:00 where they complained that their concern was being disregarded by the members.

At that time the suspects insisted that the door should be opened for them. The members opened the door to obtain more information. As soon as they let them in, two suspects drew firearms and disarmed the two police officials. The suspects then held the members hostage, tied them up with cable ties, forced them inside the holding cells and ransacked the police station where they took keys to the safe and stole the said firearms with ammunition.

One member of the public, who went to the station for services, was also held hostage as he came in at the time of the robbery. One of the suspects is said to have pointed him with a firearm as he passed through the door of the CSC. They tied him up with cable ties as well and placed him in the kitchen, separate from where the two members were held. The suspects then fled the scene with the robbed items and the member of the public managed to untie himself. He went to the holding cells where the members advised him accordingly to summon for help.

A 72-hours activation plan was put in place and police are on the lookout for the suspects.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela strongly condemned the incident and vowed that the perpetrators will experience no peace as they will be hunted down until they are all found. "We will not rest until each one of the suspects is put behind bars and all firearms with ammunition are back in our hands. We have much trust and hope to the well formidable team, they will surely bring the results soon" said the General.

Source: South African Police Service