Johannesburg - The ruling party on Tuesday praised police for their response after ANC MP Jackson Mthembu was shot and wounded in an armed robbery in Witbank.
“The African National Congress welcomes the swift action by the SA Police Service in arresting the suspects related to the armed robbery and shooting of ANC NEC member and former national spokesperson, comrade Jackson Mthembu,” spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.
Earlier Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said three people were being questioned over Mthembu's shooting.
“We cannot say they are linked [to the Mthembu robbery]. We are questioning them as to whether they are linked,” Mohlala said.
The three were arrested in Tzaneen, Limpopo, on Monday night in possession of suspected stolen property including a laptop, cellphones and bank cards.
This was after Mthembu was wounded on Sunday evening, while drawing money at an ATM on Mandela Street in Witbank.
On Monday evening Kodwa said Mthembu got into a scuffle with the armed robber and a shot was fired. The bullet grazed his cheek and then hit him in the upper shoulder.
Mohlala said that after the shot went off, the armed man and three accomplices went to Mthembu's car. Four of Mthembu's friends were waiting in the car. They robbed Mthembu and his friends of their money and cellphones.
“As Cde Jackson Mthembu remains recuperating and stable in hospital, we believe that those responsible for endangering his life should be prosecuted successfully,” Kodwa said.
It was not immediately clear whether Mthembu remained in the intensive care unit of the hospital.
Sapa