TYHEFU: SAPS members were alerted by members of the community to a random shooting incident which was in progress on Monday 28 June 2021 in the morning, at Ndlambe Administrative Area, Peddie.
As they were responding to the incident, they saw the suspect who turned back, fired shots at the police before running away. The police gave chase and managed to arrest the suspect in the bushes where he was found in possession of a firearm with live rounds of ammunition. He also told the police that another firearm was with his cousin in another village.
On arrival at the second suspect’s home, the police were taken to a room where the suspect handed them a firearm, whilst other stolen items which include live ammunition, four magazines were discovered in the Kraal. During the search, two more magazines and a computer monitor were found hidden in the toilet whilst two CPU’s were discovered in the bushes which are not far from the police station.
One computer monitor is still missing and the police are expecting to make a breakthrough in this regard soon. The following day Tuesday 29 June 2021, another firearm was recovered from the dumping site near Singlemans Quarters, in New Brighton at Gqeberha. This followed information received from a member of the public that this particular firearm was sold to a person at Gqeberha. All the recovered firearms and stolen items have been positively traced to the incident where the suspects broke into Tyhefu Police Station and served themselves with state properties.
The two suspects aged 22 and 25 were arrested and detained in the police cells. They are expected to appear in Peddie Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 30 June 2021 on charges relating to burglary, attempted murder, possession of stolen property, possession of ammunition, possession of unlicensed firearms, discharging of a firearm, possession of magazines and firearms. More arrests are expected as investigations unfold.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga has hailed the sterling work of the SAPS members who made a breakthrough in less than a week of the commission of crime at the police station. “This must serve as a lesson to those who undermine police institutions to never again underestimate the wisdom and police proficiency in tracing and tracking those who have committed serious crimes. Our police Station deserve to be respected, but if criminals find difficulty to restrain themselves, we shall assist them by keeping them away from law abiding citizens” said General Ntshinga.
Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the outstanding suspects who are still at large, is requested to make contact with Tyhefu Police Station or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Source: South African Police Service