POTCHEFSTROOM – Six suspects with ages ranging from 30 to 44 are expected to appear today in the Moretele Magistrates’ Court for business robbery, robbery of firearm, attempted carjacking, attempted murder and three counts of possession of unlicensed firearms.
The suspects’ court appearance stems from their arrest on Thursday, 7 July 2022, In Tladistad village near Makapanstad.
According to information, two of the six suspects entered the store and forced the manager and security guard to the manager’s office where they demanded social grants money. Upon failing to get the money, they took money from the tills. In the process, a female and unarmed police official who was not aware of the robbery in progress, entered the store and the suspects demanded her firearm. Allegedly, one of the suspects who were waiting in one of the getaway cars, went to a marked police vehicle and pointed a police officer with a firearm. He demanded a firearm and the car keys from the police officer who was instructed to get out of the vehicle and forced to get inside the shop.
The suspects then fled from the scene with a Volkswagen Polo and a Blue BMW vehicles. The two police officers called for backup leading to a car chase and subsequent exchange of fire between the suspects and the police. The suspects were eventually arrested at Tladistad village after their vehicles were stopped. Of the six suspects, three were taken to hospital for medical attention due to injuries they sustained. One of them was discharged soon after treatment and detained. The other two suspects are still under police guard at the hospital.
The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena congratulated the police in Platinum Sub-District 1 for their cooperation and ascertaining that the suspects are brought to book.
