A shoot-out between cops and a group of armed criminals who stormed a local business in the small town of Komga in the Eastern Cape ended in tears for the thugs.
This comes after cops braved deadly gunfire from the armed robbers on Monday, 2 August.
According to Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, the incident took place in the morning as staff and management were reporting for duty.
“It is alleged that about five armed suspects, aged between 30 and 40, forcibly entered the business and began to demand safe keys from the manager, while others were ordering the staff into steel cabinets,” Kinana said.
Kinana said the manager pressed the panic button, which alerted the cops.
He said when the cops arrived at the crime scene, they came under an intense shoot-out with the criminals who were armed with pistols and assault rifles.
ALSO READ: How Android TV makes entertainment easy
“As the police retaliated, the suspects gave up and were arrested by the police. Three of the suspects were injured during the shoot-out and were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. One was fatally wounded and the other one was arrested and is in police custody,” Kinana said.
He said two firearm rifles, one pistol and a grinder used during the incident were confiscated.
“A vehicle allegedly used by the suspects to get to the business is believed to have been stolen. Cases of business robbery, attempted murder and possession of suspected stolen vehicle are under investigation by the provincial organised crime unit,” said Kinana.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene said the suspects must face the full might of the law.
“Had our police officers not displayed courage and sacrifice in a volatile situation such as that, many lives would have been lost in that small town including our police officers,” said Mene.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Komga Magistrates Court soon.