BARBERTON – On Tueasday 12 suspects have been arrested after they aided six suspects escape from lawful custody.
This follows events of yesterday when police arrested the six suspects on a charge of possession of an unlawful firearm and were due to appear at the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
According to information at police disposal a group of people emerged, forced open the police van at the back, freeing the six suspects and capsizing the van in the process. The police managed to get out calling for back up, a scuffle ensued between the police and the group wherein a shot went off leading to a 17-year-old girl being injured.
After the escape, the police managed to rearrest the suspects within a short space of time as well as twelve more suspects from the mob. The twelve are facing charges of aiding suspects to escape from lawful custody and malicious damage to property.
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The injured girl was rushed to hospital for medical attention and the Independent Police Investigation Directorate (Ipid) was informed. All the suspects will appear at the same court soon.
“We condemn the unlawful action by the group who attacked the police, capsized the van and freed the suspects. Their action also led to the unnecessary injury of the 17-year-old girl. We will not hesitate to unleash the full might of the law to people who prevent police to execute their duties.” said the Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma.
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