Belfast: The police have arrested three suspects following an attempted robbery in Belfast, Mpumalanga on Friday night. The suspects aged between 30 and 42 are expected to appear at the Belfast Magistrate's Court on Monday, said the South African Police Service (SAPS).
According to South African Government News Agency, a group of armed individuals who falsely identified themselves as police officers, held the occupants of a VW Polo that had stopped on the side of the road at gunpoint. The occupants of the Polo had stopped by the roadside to relieve themselves.
'Fortunately, members of the police were busy patrolling the area due to prior reports of robberies. The members were tactically working to prevent similar robberies recurring as directed by SAPS Operational Plans. Upon detecting something suspicious on the roadside, the vigilant members of the SAPS team swiftly came closer and introduced themselves as police officers.
During this encounter, the suspects unexpectedly began firing shots at the officers while attempting to flee in their vehicle, a white Datsun Go with Mpumalanga registration plates. One suspect fled on foot, leading to a high-speed chase that ended with the suspects' vehicle crashing into a tree on Bhekumuzi Masango Drive.
It was during this period when the suspects were cornered at the scene, that a police detective, aged 54, from Pienaar SAPS, was found deceased in the rear seat of the vehicle. It is suspected that he could have sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire, though this is subject to further investigation. Two firearms and ammunition were also recovered at the scene, and these items were confiscated to form part of the investigation.
The suspect who fled on foot was also apprehended near the N4 road towards Machadodorp. The suspects are facing various charges, including attempted car hijacking, robbery with a firearm, attempted murder, and the illegal possession of firearms with ammunition.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been notified, and a full investigation is underway regarding this incident. A police van, a Toyota Hilux from Pienaar detectives, was also recovered at a farm in Belfast, near where the incident occurred. The state vehicle was used by the detective for standby duties, and it is under investigation whether it was used without granted authority.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the firearms with ammunition, commending members for their bravery while defending themselves against the attack. He stated, "It is a shameful act when an individual sworn to uphold the law is found on the other side of it. As the SAPS, we distance ourselves from any criminality. It is either our members are with us against crime or consequences will follow for their criminal activities, as one cannot serve two masters."