The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena applauded the police and other role players for collaborative efforts that led to the arrest of five suspects in connection with the attempted murder of a police officer on Monday evening, 8 January 2024.
According to reports, the first suspect was handed over to the police by a member of the community while the other was arrested by Jericho police on Tuesday, 9 January 2024. The other three suspects were tracked and arrested between Tuesday, 9 January 2024 and the early hours of today in Mabopane and Winterveldt during a tactical operation by Brits Crime Intelligence and Trio Task Team.
The arrests emanate from an incident in which the suspects allegedly shot and injured a police constable on Monday evening, 8 January 2024, at Jericho village. The police officer was arriving at a tuckshop in an unmarked state motor vehicle when he noticed three suspects who fired several shots of which one struck the member on the left arm. The suspects fled the scene in a silver Opel Kadett.
A quick response by Jericho police led to a car chase until at Sephai village where the suspects’ vehicle collided with a cow. The suspects then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Although a search was conducted in the bushes, that did not yield positive results. The search continued on Tuesday, 09 January 2024, leading to the arrest of three more suspects in Mabopane and Winterveldt.
Further investigation led the team to Legonyane village where a Norinco firearm with four ammunition was found hidden by one of the suspects at his aunt’s place. Preliminary investigation revealed that four suspects are on parole and still under correctional supervision.
All suspects, aged between 22 and 56, are expected to appear soon before the Brits Magistrates’ Court for attempted murder. One of the suspects is facing an additional charge of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.
The Provincial Commissioner welcomed the arrest, which he said is a clear indication that the police are committed to dismantle criminal groupings such as this one. He also thanked all police officers and all other role players including private security companies’ personnel and members of the community for their cooperation soon after the incident was reported until the suspects were brought to book.