Off-duty policeman’s attackers arrested
Four arrested for attack on off-duty policeman
A THIRTY-FOUR-year-old suspect involved in a shoot-out with a policeman, was arrested by the Richards Bay Hawks while he was in hospital.
The suspect was admitted to hospital with gunshot wounds and placed under police guard.
Another three suspects, aged between 25 and 33, were later arrested on a charge of malicious damage to property.
The arrests followed an incident on 8 January around 11pm when an off duty police officer and his girlfriend were at a local tavern in the Mbilane area outside Ulundi.
The police officer was approached by the suspect and an argument ensued.
He left the tavern with his friends, but the suspect followed him and opened fire, wounding the police officer in the stomach.
The police officer returned fire, wounding the suspect, before fleeing the scene on foot.
It is believed that the suspect’s friends then set the police officer’s vehicle alight.
The police officer sought help from the neighbours who took him to a local hospital for treatment.
The suspect was also taken to hospital for treatment, where he was later placed under arrest.
A case of attempted murder and malicious damage to property was opened at the Ulundi police station.
All the arrested suspects appeared in the Mahlabathini Magistrate’s Court on Monday and remanded in custody until 18 January pending their bail application.
