Cops kept on their toes over weekend
In one of the incidents, a robber and was shot and killed while one of his accomplices was seriously injured and the others arrested.
One person was shot and killed during a chase between five armed robbers and the TMPD’s K9 unit and other law enforcement officers in Akasia, north of Pretoria, at the weekend.
This was after the group of armed robbers stole bags of clothing from the Fabiani store at the Wonderpark shopping centre.
“TMPD K9 members and other law enforcement officials gave chase to the suspects. The suspects opened fire and a shootout between the suspects and the officers ensued,” the metro police said in a statement.
Three firearms were confiscated and the stolen property was recovered.
“Another suspect was seriously injured, but all of them were arrested.”
On Tuesday, Wonderpark shopping centre management confirmed that the store was operating as usual.
“Wonderpark wants to emphasise that the security of our shoppers and tenants is of extreme importance and that providing a shopping environment that is safe for everyone is top priority,” the centre’s management said.
They further said that additional security measures were in place, adding that they would be working with the police and security service providers to ensure that they did everything in their ability to keep the centre safe.
Hours earlier, during the early hours of Saturday, March 26, three people were arrested when the TMPD’s cable theft unit attended to a complaint about illegal electricity connections in neighbouring Soshanguve, block XX.
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“Upon arrival, they found three suspects busy tampering with electricity,” TMPD said.
The three men were arrested for damaging and tampering with essential infrastructure.
In other police work, Akasia police spokesperson Constable Lindiwe Mabasa said 13 people were arrested after they allegedly threatened and attacked officers and residents at the police station’s client service centre.
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The 13 people were part of a larger group of over 100 people who wanted police to release three people who were in the holding cells.
“They were charged with public violence, intimidation, interfering with the law and crimen injuria,” she said.
On Friday, Mabasa said they conducted a crime awareness campaign on gender-based violence with members of the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, district CPF, Akasia CP, victim empowerment coordinator, social crime prevention members and the station’s management.
“Over 70 flyers were distributed and community members were guided on the process of applying and executing of a protection order in case they were victims of domestic violence,” she said.
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