Eastern Cape police station robbed of firearms

Somerset East Police Station was robbed at gunpoint on Sunday evening just after 21:00. The three assailants fled with an undisclosed number of firearms.

Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Zithulele Dladla has immediately ordered the 72 hour activation plan, mobilising all resources to help  trace and track down the three robbery suspects.

Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana, SAPS provincial spokesperson, confirmed that according to a preliminary report SAPS members were performing their duties at the Community Service Centre Sunday evening when three men entered the centre.

They pretended to be reporting an accident. With the police officers focusing on assisting them in reporting the accident, one person jumped over the counter, and pointed a firearm at the officers.

The other two men joined in and at gunpoint they ordered the officers to lie down. In the media statement Kinana states that the officers resisted and a struggle ensued. The suspects got hold of the safe keys, some grabbed firearms and then the suspects apparently fled the scene on foot.

No injuries have been reported. Affected officers are due to receive a psycho-social intervention from SAPS physiologists.

Cases of armed robbery and attempted murder have been registered. The manhunt for the three suspects and the investigation continue.

Anyone with information that will lead to the arrest of suspects, is requested to please make contact with Somerset Police Station or call the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Siphelele Sinethemba Njara 072 580 2634 or Call the Crime Stop number 08 600 10111.