Brits – Five men, four of them on parole, have been arrested for attempting to shoot dead a police officer in Jericho, outside Brits, North West.
The suspects allegedly fired shots at the policeman and wounded him on Monday.
Narrating events leading to the shooting, North West police Spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, said the police constable arrived at a tuckshop in an unmarked state motor vehicle.
When the suspects saw the policeman, they fired several shots at him striking his left arm.
“The suspects fled the scene in a silver Opel Kadett,” Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said, adding that the quick response by Jericho police led to a car chase.
The car chase ended at Sephai village, where the suspects’ vehicle hit a cow and came to a stop.
“The suspects then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Although a search was conducted in the bushes, that did not yield positive results,” said Brigadier Mokgwabone.
“The search continued on Tuesday, leading to the arrest of three more suspects in Mabopane and Winterveldt.”
One suspect was handed over to the police by a community member, while Jericho police arrested another.
Brigadier Mokgwabone said further investigation led the team to Legonyane village, where a Norinco firearm with four bullets was found.
The gun was recovered from the house of an aunt of one of the arrested suspects.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that four suspects are on parole and still under correctional supervision,” said Brigadier Mokgwabone.
He said the suspects aged between 22 and 56, were expected to appear soon in the Brits Magistrate’s Court for attempted murder.
“One of the suspects is facing an additional charge of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.”
