Ndumiso Minenhle Xhakaza (24) appeared in the Ntuzuma Magistrates’ Court yesterday, following his arrest for armed robbery, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition. The case was remanded to 28 September 2021 for bail hearing.

It is alleged that on 18 September 2021 at 13:30, police officers from Durban Flying Squad were patrolling along Hunslet Drive in Phoenix when they spotted a bakkie with eight occupants driving recklessly and they attempted to intercept the suspect’s vehicle but they sped-off. A chase ensued until the corner of Malandela and Musa Road in KwaMashu where it crashed to a pavement and it came to standstill. Six suspects alighted from their vehicle and fled on foot whilst firing shots at the police who returned fire. When police approached the vehicle, they found two male occupants. Police recovered a 9mm pistol, a magazine, three rounds of ammunition and a knife.

Initial investigation revealed that one of the males was a victim of robbery. He informed the police that he had been robbed by the same suspects who forced him at the back of his bakkie. The victim alleged that he was requested by the suspects to take them with his vehicle to G Section while he was at KwaMashu Hostel. As he continued with the trip, he was threatened with a firearm. At gunpoint, the suspects forced him to stop the vehicle demanded the car keys, bank cards along with the pin numbers and he was forced into the back of his vehicle. They went to an ATM to withdraw the cash. The other suspects managed to evade arrest and are still being sought by police.

Source: South African Police Service