A combined crime combatting effort by various role-players ensured that a duo involved in an armed robbery at a spaza shop at Kwanokuthula which led to the death of the shopkeeper are behind bars. The duo arrested during separate operations by local police, Garden Route District Rural Flying Squad, local security companies and community volunteers is expected to make their first court appearance tomorrow.
Investigation reveals, police were dispatched to a shooting incident at Sishuba Street (Phase 3), Kwanokuthula at Plettenberg Bay on Wednesday, 31 August 2022. Upon arrival they found the body of the man on the floor with gunshot wounds to the body. The 27-year-old victim, an Ethiopian national, was declared dead by paramedics on the scene.
A search for the perpetrators was launched and on Thursday, 01 September 2022 at about 20:00 Rural Flying Squad members responded to a call from law enforcement officers on the N2 highway near Plettenberg Bay where they cornered a man suspected to be involved in an attack. A search of the man resulted in the confiscation of a pistol. The suspect (23) was apprehended and detained on charges of murder, armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Furthermore, on Friday 2 September 2022 the same team operationalised information on the other suspect when they descended on a house at Kwanokuthula. A search of the premises ensued and the suspect was found hiding in the ceiling. Police arrested the 25-year-old suspect on a charge of armed robbery.
The pair remains in police custody. They are scheduled to appear in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrates’ court on Monday, 05 September 2022 on mentioned charges.
In an unrelated matter, earlier this week Knysna police members responded to information on an illicit firearm and they conducted a search of the bushes at Phantom Pass just outside Knysna. An intensive search led to the discovery of an assault rifle. They confiscated the prohibited firearm and opened an enquiry into its origin.
Both firearms will be sent to the forensic laboratory for ballistic tests.
Western Cape police management applauded those involved for their vigilance to bring these perpetrators to book as well as the recovery of the firearms. Firearms in the hands of criminal pose a major threat to the public and the confiscations of these two will go a long way in safeguarding communities.
Source: South African Police Service