One suspect was injured and four others arrested following a shoot-out in the parking area of the Ladysmith Square Mall on Monday evening, 16 August. Witnesses, who had been heading home after shopping, told The Ladysmith Herald it was like watching an action movie.
“The police immediately called out to the men in the car and then we heard two or three gunshots,” said one of the witnesses, who could not believe what he had just witnessed. The five gunmen had been involved in a farm invasion in the Van Reenen area, earlier that same day.
Van Reenen Farmers Association Chairperson, Cornel Campher, said that the men had approached a farmer along Skaapdrift Road. “It was in the late afternoon when four or five men approached Gideon Wessel.” Campher explained that they tied up Wessel before robbing him of firearms and a cellphone. The suspects then escaped on foot, leaving Wessel unharmed. “We are still not sure how they got hold of the vehicle, but Wessel, who was tied up, managed to free himself and walked over two kilometres to reach neighbouring farmers for help.”
He said that with the information, the farming community of Van Reenen had jumped into action and with the help of CCTV footage, the men and the vehicle they had been travelling in were traced. “We immediately contacted the police in Ladysmith, who then started the search for the men,” said Campher.
The vehicle, which was chased along the back routes of Van Reenen and Bluebank Road, was finally identified by the K9 Unit of Ladysmith in the parking area. Police immediately reacted. The suspect who was shot was treated and taken to hospital and the other four were arrested. The men will be charged for armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition by Harrismith Police. The suspects will also be charged with pointing of firearms by the Ladysmith Police. Firearms, cellphones, binoculars and an angle grinder were recovered. Campher told The Ladysmith Herald that they are extremely happy about the arrests and are working towards opposing bail.
