| 2025/01/04 |
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Media Statement NELSPRUIT – The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has commended members for their exceptional courage and vigilance that they displayed during an incident whereby armed suspects stormed into a certain house in Barberton and held a man, his wife and their 09-month-old baby boy hostage, robbed them of undisclosed amount of cash then forced the victims into their white Ford Ranger. The house robbery incident that occurred last night, Friday 03 January 2025 around 21:45. A report indicates that as they were driving around, members of the SAPS that were busy with their routine patrols, spotted the suspicious white Ford Ranger and acted out of vigilance, prompting a chase. Upon attempts to stop this vehicle, suspects reportedly fired some shots towards the Police and the men and women in Blue responded accordingly to defend themselves. It was during this time when one of the alleged suspects was fatally wounded. Meanwhile a 35-year-old male suspect was arrested. At that moment, Police discovered that the three victims were in fact held hostage by the armed suspects inside their own Ford Ranger bakkie. The said bakkie was fortunately recovered as a result and a 9mm pistol with about 27 live ammunition as well as a magazine were confiscated at the scene. Further investigation revealed that the arrested suspect was the driver of the vehicle at the time. Three other suspects evaded arrest and fled the scene. They are still being sought by the Police. The victims, including the 9-month-old baby, were safely rescued from their kidnappers, by the men and women in Blue with no reported injuries. Items recovered at the scene include the stolen Ford Ranger, a 9mm pistol with about 27 live ammunition as well as a magazine, and household items belonging to the victims. The recovered firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine its history in previous crimes hence more charges could possibly be added against the suspect. The arrested suspect faces charges of house robbery, kidnapping, attempted murder of police officers, and possession of an unlicenced firearm with ammunition. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the shooting incident. The arrested suspect is expected to appear in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 06 January 2025.
Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi issued a stern warning against attacks on police officers, emphasizing that such actions are a direct attack on the state.
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