Nelspruit: 06 February 2023- Two suspects, aged 23 and 29 were arrested after allegedly shooting and nearly killing a security guard on duty at a certain School in Hazyview. The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, 02 February 2023 however the two were nabbed at one of the local taverns in Shabalala a day after the incident (03 February 2023).
According to the report at police disposal, three armed suspects stormed into a High School in Sand River near Hazyview. They reportedly found a security guard on duty and then attacked him in the early hours of that day. It is said that the suspects held him at gunpoint and demanded for a firearm. When the guard informed his assailants that he was not in possession of a firearm, they shot at him. The report further states that nothing was stolen from the school during this horrific incident.
The matter was reported to the authorities and the guard was later taken to hospital for medical treatment. Meanwhile Police in Hazyview began with their investigation of an attempted murder case and got a tip-off from some members of the community on the whereabouts of two out of the three suspects. The astute members followed the information and it is further reported that the suspects attempted to shoot at the men and women in Blue during the time of their arrest, fortunately the firearm had a stoppage.
Police responded and both suspects were shot where they sustained some injuries on their legs. Upon their arrest, a 9 mm pistol with ten live rounds were confiscated. The firearm's serial number was filled off. The arrested suspects are currently under police guard in hospital and will soon appear in court. Police are still searching for the third suspect and hopefully an arrest will be made soon. Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will conduct further investigation surrounding the shooting of the two suspects.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended the healthy relationship between the community members and police in the area. The General also applauded members for their dedication and successful encounter even though the situation was dangerous and life threatening.