AN Enforce Security reaction officer is recovering in hospital after being shot twice while responding to a business burglary in Kloof on Monday night (1 February).
The officer, Chicco Ngxasana, was dispatched to the business after the alarm was activated shortly after 6.30pm.
The robbers gained entry to the property via a surrounding fence and then forced open a window.
Ngxasana, who was on patrol nearby, responded immediately and arrived at the scene in about one-and-a-half minutes. However, the suspects, who appeared to be hiding, ambushed him, opening fire on his vehicle.
Nikki Möhlman, Enforce’s community projects manager, said Ngxasana, who was effectively ‘caged in’, exited the vehicle to get away. While under fire, he heard the men shouting to each other to ‘kill him’.
“Chicco was shot in the leg and then fell to the ground. While he was lying on the floor, face down, they came up to him and shot him in the back. Luckily his bullet-proof vest prevented the bullet from penetrating his body.
“He does, however, have a deep wound on his back. The bullet shot at his leg grazed the bone and, as a result, he suffered a fracture instead of a break. Obviously though there is damage to the tendons and muscles.”
Möhlman said Ngxasana was ‘very traumatised’ by the incident, particularly due to the suspects’ shouts for him to be killed. He also struggles to talk about the moment he was lying on the floor when they shot him a second time.
“He will definitely need counselling, which we will make sure he gets. He is, however, in a stable condition and in recovery. It is actually ironic and infuriating that he was shot due to his efficient response.”
Even though Ngxasana was so quick to respond, the suspects still managed to get away with 8 IMX computers and four laptops.
Enforce director, Derek Lategan, applauded Ngxasana for his swift response, adding that he was both saddened and concerned at his being shot.
“We are very proud to have officers the calibre of Chicco at Enforce, but incidents like this anger us. Our investigators are following up on some very good leads to track down those responsible for shooting him.
“We are monitoring Chicco’s recovery in hospital and will continue to assist him with ongoing medical care and counselling once he is discharged.”
Lategan said business break-ins were currently rife throughout the greater Durban area as the demand for computers and electronic equipment has soared.
The annual crime stats released in September last year showed an increase in burglaries and robberies at non-residential premises.
