Africa-Press – South-Africa. Two armed suspects allegedly attacked two police officers at the Grootvlei police station in Mpumalanga before making off with firearms and ammunition.
The officers were held hostage and tied up with cable ties.
The incident occurred between Friday night and the early hours of Saturday, police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said.
The suspects allegedly stole three 9mm pistols, a R5 rifle, shotgun, and about 180 live rounds of ammunition from a safe.
They also took a firearm from one of the officers.
Mohlala said according to reports, the suspects arrived at the police station on Friday at around 18:00, claiming to be from Soshanguve under the pretence of reporting a domestic violence incident.
“They played victims as if they needed help from the two members who were working at the Community Service Centre [CSC] regarding a female who was a victim of domestic violence.
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“The CSC’s safety door was locked at that point, and they initially left and only to return later, around 22:00, where they complained that their concern was being disregarded by the members. At that time, the suspects insisted that the door should be opened for them. The members opened the door to obtain more information.
“As soon as they let them in, two suspects drew firearms and disarmed the two police officials.
“The suspects then held the members hostage, tied them up with cable ties, forced them inside the holding cells and ransacked the police station where they took keys to the safe and stole the said firearms with ammunition.”
A member of the public, who was also at the police station during the robbery, was also held hostage.
Police are on the lookout for the suspects.
Mpumalanga police commissioner Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has condemned the incident.
Manamela vowed the perpetrators would experience “no peace as they will be hunted down until they are all found”.
“We will not rest until each one of the suspects is put behind bars and all firearms with ammunition are back in our hands. We have much trust and hope [for] the formidable team; they will surely bring the results soon,” she said.
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