Beaten, arrested at rank
According to the Ivory Park SAPS communication officer, Captain Bernard Matimulane, community members at the local taxi rank in Ivory Park's Extension 3 became suspicious of the trio's inexplicable movements, which were observed for more than two hours, within the grounds of the rank.
Three men from Pretoria got more than they bargained for when they were arrested by the Ivory Park SAPS on Wednesday last week, for possession of two unlicensed firearms including an R5 rifle, as well as ammunition and a stolen vehicle.
According to the Ivory Park SAPS communication officer, Captain Bernard Matimulane, community members at the local taxi rank in Ivory Park’s Extension 3 became suspicious of the trio’s inexplicable movements, which were observed for more than two hours, within the grounds of the rank.
“They approached the men, wanting to know what their purpose for visiting the area was, and that was when one of the suspects took out a firearm. A struggle for the firearm ensued, during which a shot was fired, injuring the suspect on the foot. It was during this time that the community came in and began to assault the suspects. They were rescued by the police, but by then they had already sustained serious injuries,” said Matimulane.
Matimulane said the three suspects are in hospital and will appear in court once discharged.
“It was not immediately clear what the men’s reasons for roaming around the taxi rank’s grounds were, but speculation is rife that they may have gone to the area with the intention of committing a robbery. One of the men was found in possession of keys belonging to a Hyundai vehicle nearby. It was reported stolen in Brits in North West,” said Matimulane.
Brigadier David Mbongeni Ngcobo, the station commander for the Ivory Park SAPS, thanked the community for the arrest, but warned the people against taking the law into their own hands.
“We believe that these three, coming from that far, came here with the sole purpose of committing a crime,” said Ngcobo.
