Saturday in Silverton was hot.
Gunfire was heard in the suburb east of Pretoria. Then the screeching of tyres was heard as cars took off at high speed.
Explaining the shooting, Colonel Dimakatso Sello said it was the police being shot at by a spooked armed gang they were about to arrest.
In partnership with Gauteng Traffic and Tracker Connect, the police had been acting on a tip-off about the armed gang.
The police knew the gang was about to commit an armed robbery in Pretoria when they tracked them – through their car – to Silverton.
The police spotted the gang in their car Silverton.
“Upon suspects realising that the police were on their trail, they started shooting at them,” recounted Colonel Sello.
The police retaliated before the gang took off at high speed.
“A high-speed chase ensued,” said Colonel Sello.
Colonel Sello said the high-speed chase ended when the gang was cornered at Nellmapius.
Much to their shock and disappointment, two of the three-man gang were dressed in police uniforms.
“Two of the suspects were wearing a police uniform and preliminary investigation revealed that one suspect is indeed a police officer attached at Crime Intelligence Unit,” said Colonel Sello.
“All three suspects were arrested and charged with attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm with ammunition and impersonating a police official.”
The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has condemned this incident with strong possible terms.
“It is very disappointing to see members within the Service colluding with criminals instead of upholding the law as mandated by the Constitution of the Country,” said Lt Gen Mawela.
“I assure the residents of Gauteng Province that as the SAPS we are committed to dealing with those few elements within the Service that are involved in criminal activities.
“Those arrested will surely have their day in a court of law.”
