NELSPRUIT – Today at about 07:45 vigilant members of the SAPS swiftly arrested a suspect who was found in possession of unlicensed firearm with ammunition. Meanwhile his accomplice managed to evade arrest and police have since launched a manhunt.
According to the information, members of the Highway Patrol were patrolling on the N4 Road near Middelburg in the direction to Nelspruit when they spotted a suspicious green VW Polo hatchback traveling on the opposite direction towards Pretoria. The members then made a turn and followed the vehicle which was occupied by two males. Upon noticing the police car pursuing them, the driver sped off, travelling on the opposite direction facing the oncoming traffic.
Members pursued the vehicle. It is further reported that the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. The members also followed suit but a suspect took out a firearm and fired some shots towards the direction of the members who also fired back.
Fortunately no one got injured during the shooting. The suspect who allegedly fired shots was arrested and found in possession of the firearm with some ammunition. His accomplice managed to evade arrest however, police are still looking for him.
The arrested suspect was charged for possession of unlicensed firearm with ammunition and police also discovered that the man is from the country of Mozambique but did not have legal documents to be in South Africa hence he was charged for contravention of the Immigration Act.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court soon facing the said charges. Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges as the firearm will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine any linkages to the commission of a crime elsewhere. The vehicle was also seized and it will form part of the investigation.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of the suspect. “The proliferation of firearms has a negative impact on crime, especially violent crimes. We hope that the arrest of the man will resolve some cases around the area and elsewhere” said the General.
Source: South African Police Service