The Barberton SAPS early yesterday morning apprehended one of the suspects linked to an attack on the Witbank Flying Squad members which occurred the day before.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the man was apprehended by officers conducting crime prevention duties near Mediclinic Barberton at around 01:30.

“The police noticed a white Hyundai bakkie without registration plates. They instructed the driver to stop, but he did not and the officers followed the vehicle. They saw there were passengers inside it. The driver finally came to a halt on the Sheba Road,” he says.

Mohlala explains that gunshots were then fired from the vehicle towards the police. The officers returned fire, resulting in some of the occupants alighting from the bakkie and fleeing on foot.

“The officers approached the vehicle and arrested a 30-year-old man. The vehicle was searched and they discovered Gauteng registration plates, an empty magazine and one spent cartridge case. The suspect and other exhibits were taken to the police station. After a preliminary investigation, he was linked to the attack on the Witbank Flying Squad members [the day before],” he says.

On Saturday, two of these members were attacked while on routine patrol on the N4 while assisting a motorist who had had a breakdown in the early hours. While they were assisting the driver, another vehicle stopped in the opposite direction close to them.

The officials went to the vehicle to investigate, but – to their surprise – noticed that the road had been barricaded with rocks. The officers started removing them to ensure the safety of other motorists.

It is claimed that seven armed suspects emerged from the bush and fired several shots at the flying squad members. During the attack, one of them was shot in the abdomen. The other member managed to rescue his colleague and quickly rushed him to hospital, where he is currently recovering.