Durban -
A KwaMashu drug peddler slipped away from a dozen policemen and disappeared into the maze of shacks at the hostel, in full view of the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Mmammonye Ngobeni, and other senior police managers on Friday.
The wily escape happened moments before Ngobeni was to address the media about the weapons raid that had taken place at the hostel on Thursday night and early on Friday.
A 400-man police team descended on KwaMashu to help with the raid.
The man fled past the policeman near the train station before disappearing into the shacks, with one of the senior police officers shouting: “Bamba! (Get him)” – the only cry heard before a chase ensued.
He got away, however, in the maze of shacks, with police retreating, complaining about the conditions.
It is believed the man, who was carrying the dagga, planned to sell it on the train.
Ngobeni said it was unfortunate that the suspect got away but said she was pleased the dagga had been seized.
The KZN commissioner said police intelligence had highlighted the KwaMashu hostel as a crime hot spot for illegal weapons that are used to terrorise communities.
More than 400 police members from various units swarmed the hostel and surrounding informal settlements all night and retrieved two illegal firearms, live ammunition, drugs and liquor.
Police had confirmed the arrest of at least five men on Friday morning – two for illegal firearms, two for running illegal shebeens and one for dealing in drugs.
One of the arrested suspects, who failed to open the door when police pounced at his hostel, tried to throw a small handgun out of the window, but police caught him in the act.