KEY POINTS
- Two suspects were shot and killed during a violent business robbery in Gedlembane, Mpumalanga, after using explosives to breach a shop.
- A Somalian national was injured in the crossfire, and a manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects who escaped.
- Police have urged the public to assist in the investigation, while concerns over rising crime rates in the province continue to grow.
In a brazen early morning robbery on Monday, a group of armed suspects targeted a shop in ka-Gudlane, Gedlembane, Mpumalanga.
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the robbery suspects used explosives to blow open the entrance of the business premises.
“They placed explosives in front of the door, which detonated, allowing them to gain entry,” Ndubane explained.
The shop owner was alerted by the complainant, who witnessed the unfolding robbery, and immediately called for armed response security.
Violent Exchange Erupts as Security Arrives
When the armed response team arrived at the robbery scene, they found the robbery in progress. A fierce shootout ensued as the suspects opened fire on the security personnel.
During the chaotic exchange, two suspects were fatally shot, while a Somalian national, believed to be an innocent bystander, was struck in the left thigh by the suspects’ gunfire. The injured man was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, and his condition remains unknown.
Despite the swift response, some suspects managed to escape, prompting a province-wide manhunt.
Lieutenant Colonel Ndubane confirmed that police are actively pursuing the remaining perpetrators. Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, expressed his outrage over the incident, vowing to bring the culprits to justice.
“A team of investigators has been established to probe this incident, and we are working around the clock to ensure the other perpetrators are swiftly apprehended,” Mkhwanazi stated.
