Police have launched a manhunt for a group of about twelve (12) suspects who shot and wounded a policeman and a passing motorist (woman) during an armed robbery of a truck carrying cigarettes on R28 after 06:00 Thursday morning. The injured were taken to the hospital in a serious but stable condition.
It is alleged that police officers were following up information about a robbery of a truck carrying tobacco. As they were driving along R28, they observed three vehicles parked next to the road. The occupants of the vehicle started shooting at them and they returned fire. During a shoot-out one of the police officers was shot and wounded. The suspects fired shots with rifles including a shotgun. A passing motorist (woman) was also shot and wounded. The windows of her vehicle were damaged.
The truck carrying cigarettes was found in an open veld not far from the road. The suspects were already making an attempt to remove the cigarettes from the truck into a Kia bakkie. The truck driver was not injured.
The suspects were driving three vehicles with unknown registration numbers, that is, a BMW, Kia bakkie and SUV Moran. They are still at large and police are appealing to anyone who might have information to come forward. Information may be forwarded to Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or to Prime Media Crime Line with an SMS at 32211.