A security officer’s pursuit of a brazen gunman, combined with a multi-disciplinary team of the Mi7 security company and SAPS members, resulted in the arrest of two suspects involved in a shoot out at the Pietermaritzburg police station yesterday morning.

Mi7 management has applauded the combined efforts and teamwork of its security cluster that led to apprehending the shooter, who allegedly stormed into the police station yesterday and started shooting at workers.

The motive for the shooting is unclear and under investigation. Nobody was injured in the incident.

According to the statement issued by Mi7, it is believed the gunman fled on foot thereafter.

“Safe City operators, which monitor CCTV systems across the Pietermaritzburg CBD, worked quickly to track the suspect, who got into a Nissan NP200 bakkie with another man.”

Information regarding the description of the vehicle and the shooter was quickly circulated and Mi7’s Strategic Threat Response Unit (STRU) was immediately dispatched to the area to assist police in the search for the vehicle.

“It is believed members of the police spotted the vehicle in the lower CBD and gave chase, the suspect firing shots toward their pursuers as the chase ensued.

“Police returned fire, and a high speed shoot out commenced, the ordeal lasting about 10 minutes and coursing through from the CBD into the Scottsville area.”

“The vehicle managed to get away in Scottsville, and a short while later was found abandoned by police teams on Windsore Road.”

Through a combined effort between various police teams – including the K9 unit – and Mi7 STRU members, a widespread search ensued.

“Mi7 National Group deployed its Mobile Command Centre to the area – a large surveillance vehicle equipped with thermal and night vision surveillance cameras as well as drone technology.

“Mi7 surveillance drones, equipped with thermal vision, were also deployed in the area to seek out the suspects over a wider range.”

“Eventually, a Mi7 team member spotted two men walking on Steele Road, one of whom matched the description of the shooter. The Mi7 member immediately got out the vehicle, swiftly moved to disarm them, and got them onto the ground.”

The remaining police and Mi7 teams arrived shortly after being notified and both suspects were taken into police custody.

“The shooter was positively identified at the station where the incident occurred.

“We also applaud the Mi7 team member who bravely confronted the suspects, knowing they were armed, and followed his specialised training to carry out the arrest, ” Mi7 said .

The matter is under further investigation by the police.