TWO suspects accused of opening fire on police officers in Cato Manor following the arrest of two alleged arms dealers have been formally charged, with one facing attempted murder charges.

Siphesihle Vezi, 30, and Makhosonke Zungu, 60, appeared separately in the Durban Magistrate’s Court in September and August respectively, and were remanded in custody pending bail applications.

The pair are facing charges linked to the August 24 shooting on Dunbar Road, which is being investigated by members of the Hawks’ Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit.

According to KZN Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, Zungu was the first to be apprehended by police and appeared in court last week.

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“Zungu was formally charged for possession of unlicensed firearm and he appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court. He was remanded in custody and the case was postponed to September 28.”

Vezi was subsequently arrested at his workplace in Isipingo after Hawks members received information about his whereabouts. He was charged with attempted murder of police officers and two civilians.

“He appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday, September 4 and was remanded in custody. The matter was postponed to September 14 for formal bail application.”

Mhlongo said the shooting incident began when police, who were carrying out crime-prevention duties, noticed a silver Toyota Etios parked at Bonela Sports Field.

Two people were found inside the vehicle and a search allegedly uncovered an AK-47 and live ammunition. The pair were arrested and were being transported to a police station when the alleged attack took place.

“When police were driving on Dunbar Road towards a police station they were followed by two vehicles, a white Toyota Double Cab and a white Toyota Corolla Cross.

“The occupants of the two vehicles fired shots towards the police and injured the two arrested suspects. Police drove to the police station and the two injured suspects were taken to hospital for medical attention. Preliminary investigation revealed that the injured suspects were going to meet with the occupants of the two vehicles for cash in transit robbery planning and the driver of the Toyota Double Cab was identified as Siphesihle Vezi.”

The Hawks investigation into the shooting and alleged cash-in-transit robbery plot is continuing.

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