WHILE driving home after attending a funeral service in his community, the Addo cop shop's station commander narrowly escaped death.
This after he came came face to face with an alleged robbery suspect who pointed a firearm at him as he approached a crossing in Addo, Eastern Cape, on Wednesday, 26 April.
Colonel Priscilla Naidu said: "It is alleged that at about 6.20pm, the station commander was stopped by a group of children informing him of a robbery taking place at a supermarket.
"While still obtaining information, one suspect approached his vehicle, pointed a firearm at him and ordered him to get out. However, the police officer sped off with shots being fired at him.
"He immediately went to another police officer’s house and fetched him and together they searched for the suspects’ vehicle, a silver Chevrolet Captiva.
ALSO READ: Mfundisi 'killer' to remain in jail!
She said the vehicle was spotted speeding out of the Nomathamsanqa location where a high speed chase ensued. The five suspects abandoned the vehicle, ran into the fruit orchards and disappeared.
"Two firearms were found in the vehicle. Both firearms were reported stolen in Kabega Park (March 2023) and Addo (February 2023) areas respectively. The Chev Captiva was also hijacked in the Ikamvelihle area in March 2023. The property taken in the business robbery (cigarettes, airtime vouchers and cash) were found in the vehicle," said Naidu.
She said both firearms will be sent to ballistics for analysis. Police are investigating cases of business robbery and attempted murder.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene said: "Despite coming under attack, the station commander still pursued the suspects after being assisted by a fellow officer.
"As police officers, our calling is to serve and protect our communities as mandated by the Constitution. I also urge our men and women in blue to make safety their responsibility and to adhere to the operational safety guidelines on or off duty. The actions of the station commander and his colleague are commendable."
