shoot-out – praag.org

Eastern Cape shoot-out leaves one policeman dead, another critical

The South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape are working around the clock looking for two suspects involved in an attack on two police constables in Cofimvaba, late Wednesday afternoon.

Police Constable, Tandile Mlenga aged 35 and Student Constable Siviwe Majwede aged 23, stationed at Cofimvaba SAPS were on duty when they followed up information on a business robbery which took place at one of the businesses at about 15:30 yesterday. Upon searching for the suspects at a residential home in the Joe Slovo Informal Settlement, they were attacked by at least four unknown gun-men. Several shots were fired at them and Constable Mlenga died on the scene. Student Constable Majwede is in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

Two suspects, aged 30, have been arrested and will appear in the Cofimvaba Magistrates Court on charges of murder and attempted murder. Police are looking for two (2) more suspects.

Constable Mlenga leaves behind his mother and two minor children. He served in the SA Police Service for 9 years. – SA Police media release

Shoot-out on Johannesburg highway

A man was shot and wounded on Tuesday on the M1 South near Killarney in Johannesburg following a chase from Pretoria, police said.

Police approached a minibus taxi at a Pretoria taxi rank following a commotion, Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini said. The vehicle sped off.

“Police officers summoned back-up vehicles, including a chopper.”

When the helicopter tried to bring the van to a halt, it crashed into three police vehicles.

The occupants of the taxi shot at police, who returned fire. When the minibus came to a stop at the Joe Slovo offramp two men got out and tried to run away.

“The driver of the vehicle was shot in the upper leg and the [passenger] managed to run away.”

The passenger was believed to have been the one shooting at police.

Police had his particulars and were searching for him.

The driver would be charged with malicious damage to property and attempted murder. He was taken to hospital under police guard.

It was suspected that the men fled as they may have been involved in several incidents of taxi violence.

The M1 South was closed as dozens of traffic officials, police officers and medics worked on the scene. The police landed their helicopter on the highway. Shortly before 2pm it was still there.

Traffic was being redirected. – Sapa

Shoot-out in Western Cape kills two police officers

Two police officers were killed and another seriously wounded in a shoot-out during a police operation in Siqala informal settlement in Philippi, Western Cape police said on Thursday.

Lt-Col Andre Traut said officers searched residences in the area on Wednesday night at around 10pm for people wanted in connection with recent armed robberies in the area.

“Upon entering the dwelling the suspects opened fire at police officers. During a shoot-out with the robbers, one suspect was wounded and arrested and his 9mm firearm confiscated,” he said.

“The wounded police officer is being treated in hospital and is reportedly in a stable condition. The suspect is also being treated in hospital under police guard.”

He said the police had reason to believe more people were involved in the shooting but managed to evade arrest.

Violent crimes against police officers were not taken lightly and the people responsible could regard themselves as “extremely wanted”, Traut said.

“The Western Cape police management would like to express their sincere condolences to the families of the slain members, as well as to their colleagues.

“Our fight against crime will continue in all earnest and we will not be deterred by attacks launched at us,” he said. – Sapa

Four killed in East Rand shoot-out

An Ekhurhuleni metro policeman and three robbers died in a shoot-out in Wadeville on Thursday, police said.

Two metro police officers were seriously wounded, said SA Police Service spokeswoman Lt-Col Katlego Mogale.

“It was an attempted robbery. Police were following up on information when the incident took place at 11.40am,” she said.

“Four people were shot dead. One is a police officer and the other three are suspects.”

Four alleged robbers were arrested, and the metro police officers were in a critical condition in hospital.

The men were attempting to rob a scrap metal company, said Mogale.

Police were investigating. – Sapa

6 injured in Cape Town shopping centre shoot-out

Six people were wounded when a gang tried to rob a Cape Town shop at the weekend, it was reported on Monday.

The Daily Voice reported that a group of armed men entered a clothing shop in Gugulethu Square on Sunday and demanded cash. Gugulethu is a mainly black area.

A shoot-out ensued between the gang and security guards.

Two guards and two of the armed men were wounded. The armed men fled.

Two people inside the shop were treated for bullet wounds.

Lieutenant Colonel Thembinkosi Kinana told the newspaper no arrests had been made. – Sapa