Durban - Police have arrested a suspect following a high-speed chase and a shoot-out in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Police spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said the incident took place on Thursday and saw a number of suspects manage to escape. One suspect was apprehended after he was shot and wounded during the gunbattle. The suspect was under police guard in hospital.
“It is alleged that a family was robbed at their home in Hlabisa when they were confronted by a number of suspects,” Naicker said. They were held at gunpoint and robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash.
“The suspects forced a 34-year-old woman into her Jeep Cherokee and sped off. The victim was dropped off in the Mbazwana area where she managed to report the incident to the police. A search by Tracker, the SAPS and the SANDF led to the recovery of the vehicle. A police chopper from the SAPS Airwing assisted in directing ground forces towards the fleeing suspects.”
Naicker said: “The suspects opened fire when they were confronted and a shoot-out ensued. The suspect who sustained a gunshot wound and was later identified as a taxi owner from the area. Cases of house robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder were opened for investigation.”
Police said the arrest of the remaining suspects was imminent, while the suspect in custody was being profiled to determine if he could be be linked to other serious crimes in the area.
The suspect was due to appear in court as soon as he was released from hospital.
ANA