By Bongekile Gumede
A Cato Manor Police officer is still recovering in hospital following a shooting which took place during patrol operations in Cato Manor on Tuesday, 31 May. It’s alleged that the SAPS members saw a suspicious vehicle, with no registration in the front and back, parked on the road with the engine on.
Sergeant Goos of Cato Manor SAPS said that upon approaching the vehicle, the members asked the driver to open the window and put on the lights before the suspects started firing shots at the police officers. “A shootout then ensued between the police and the suspects resulting in one of the officers being shot at, sustaining a gunshot wound on his chest which punctured his lung. He is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU) fighting for his life,” said Sgt Goos.
He said that the suspects managed to get away, however, information on the vehicle and one of the injured suspects was circulated. The vehicle was then found abandoned in Newlands East with multiple gunshot entries.
“It’s suspected that the suspects tried to go under the radar and went to a local clinic, avoiding hospitals as police would be notified about a patient with gunshot wounds. It’s also alleged that when the suspect went to Ntuzuma Clinic he said he was shot in the Springfield area where someone tried to hijack him, however, I was able to get that information and I was able to find out that he was transported by ambulance to King Edward Hospital as his injuries were severe.
“The other suspect who had taken the wounded suspect to the clinic was detained by Ntuzuma SAPS who waited for me and the other members to positively identify him and make the arrest. We then followed up on the wounded suspect and he was found in King Edward Hospital before being transferred to Westville Correctional Services hospital for the medical attention he needed,” said Sgt Goos.
He said both the suspects, Talent Mkhize and Mcabangeleni Mkhize, appeared in court and were remanded back into police custody.
“The firearm which was used in the shooting has not been recovered, however, it was established that the suspects are cousins from Kwamaphumulo, living in KwaMashu Hostel. We are still searching for the third suspect who is believed to be the actual shooter. It was also established that the vehicle they were using was borrowed from someone else who did not know what they were going to use it for. Investigations are continuing,” Sgt Goos concluded.
