Cop killers nabbed
Two of the five Pretoria police officer killers were arrested while the other three were shot dead following a shootout.
Eliot Mahlase
Two men have been arrested after a highway shooting that claimed four lives on Wednesday.
They were members of a gang of five who were chased by police on the N4 near Mpumalanga before the shootout.
Constable Max Lekalakala from Pretoria flying squad, was mortally wounded near the Diamond Toll Plaza early on Wednesday.
Police shot dead three of the fugitives.
Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, spokesperson for the Hawks, said the five men were chased by police before the shootout ensued.
“The Silverton flying squad members spotted a suspicious-looking vehicle around 01:45 and stopped it,” he said.
“When the police approached the vehicle which had five occupants, they were greeted by a hail of bullets, which left Constable Max Lekalakala (32) fatally wounded,” he said.
“The police retaliated, killing two suspects instantly. Another suspect was certified dead on arrival in the hospital.”
Mulaudzi said the other two fugitives were arrested. One was wounded and was under police guard in hospital.
Three unlicensed firearms, ammunition, seven cellphones and an Ipad were found in the possession of the men.
“One suspect will appear in the Bronkhortspruit Magistrate’s Court on Friday, facing charges of murder, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The investigation continues,” Mulaudzi said.
#sapsGP Rest easy colleague, fatally wounded in shootout with suspects chased by PTA #FlyingSquad #FinalSalute SD pic.twitter.com/CcjU3Ee5Uh
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 2, 2016
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