(Archive photo: SA Police)
Four people are behind bars after they apparently stole diesel on Monday evening and then opened fire on the police officers who caught them in the act.
The four suspects, Paulino Ticha Quembo (33), Nelson Mudavanhu (34), Lawrence Simango (34) and Dennis Spencer Chipenza (35), are suspected of having threatened security guards at a mine near the N4 in the Middelburg area with firearms. and then robbed a diesel tanker.
A member of the police’s crime intelligence unit received information about the robbery and called a colleague at the Middelburg detective branch, after which they began to follow up on leads in the area of Stofberg.
On the way they came across a yellow tanker that matched the description of the missing diesel truck and they stopped it, says Capt. Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, spokeswoman for the Falcons.
Three occupants jumped out of the truck and opened fire on the officers.
“During the shooting, Sgt. Simon Mbonani (43) wounded. He later succumbed to his injuries,” says Sekgotodi.
“Sgt. Raphael Sthembiso Magubane (43) was seriously injured and taken to a hospital for treatment.”
Three pistols and several bullets were found at the scene, while the police also confiscated five mobile phones.
The four accused were arrested shortly afterwards during a detection operation by members of the Falcons’ unit for organized crime in Middelburg, and members of the crime intelligence units in Middelburg and KwaMhlanga.
The four are on trial on charges of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery.
They will appear in court again next week.
