Robbery Suspect Arrested Following Intense Shootout in Tongaat, KZN
A suspect was arrested, an unlicensed firearm and stolen goods were recovered by members of Reaction Unit South Africa following an intense shooutout in Tongaat – KZN a short while ago (Sunday).
At approximately 15:08 Reaction Officer Goodman Malinga received information of a robbery and shooting at a tavern in Gwalas Farm. Upon arrival it was established that the robbers entered the business and forced patrons to lie on the ground while they robbed them. One person was shot before the gunmen escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash and six cellphones.
The Reaction Officer was provided with a clothing description of both robbers. The RUSA Member established that the gunmen were proceeding towards Cottonlands and requested for additional backup other areas to intercept them.
Officer Malinga noticed two men matching the description provided walking on an unpaved road which runs through a sugar cane plantation. The suspects fired a volley of shots in his direction when they noticed him approaching. The RUSA Officer abandoned his response vehicle and pursued them on foot down a steep hill. The shootout continued as the suspects fled to the base of the hill. Reaction Officer Lushen Naidoo who was approaching from the opposite direction witnessed the ongoing gun battle and also returned fire which resulted in the suspects splitting up.
One of the suspects was found hiding in the overgrown grass. A unlicensed CZ83 pistol, a bag containing a large amount of cash & six cellphones that were stolen during the robbery was also recovered. The serial number on the firearm was filed off. An intense search was conducted for the second suspect however he still remains at large.
The victim that was shot during the robbery was rushed privately to hospital. He sustained a single gunshot wound which entered his buttocks and exited through his genitals. The Reaction Officers were not injured during the shooting.
The 37-year-old suspect has been handed over to Police and is currently detained at the Tongaat SAPS.
