BLOEMFONTEIN - Two suspects, aged 31 and 32 respectively, will appear before the Bloemfontein magistrate court on Friday, 17 February 2023, on a charge of illegal possession of abalone, reckless and negligent driving, and assault on a police official.

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in the Free State, Lt Gen Baile Motswenyane, applauded the assistance of the communities of Phase 2 and Rocklands, who assisted the police to arrest the suspects.

On Wednesday, 15 February 2023, in the morning, the Bloemfontein K9 Unit received information about a certain vehicle en-route from Umtata to Bloemfontein suspected to be delivering abalone. While on Patrol on the N6 ±10km from Bloemfontein towards Reddersburg, the said vehicle was spotted. Police tried to stop the driver, but they refused to stop. A chase ensued and the suspect drove into the township of Phase 2, Mangaung.

During the high-speed chase with blue lights and sirens, the suspects lost control of the vehicle while trying to turn on the corner and crashed into the fence of one corner house. They then jumped out of the vehicle, and ran on foot. One of the police officers who tried to arrest one suspect, was injured with a sharp object on the stomach.

The community of Phase 2 and Rocklands assisted the police and also gave chase. The two were accosted and handed over to the police.

A Toyota Corolla with an estimated 100kg abalone with the street value of R200 000 was confiscated to be used as evidence in court.

Cases of illegal possession of abalone, reckless and negligent driving and assault on a police official are under investigation.

Source: South African Police Service