Suspect shot himself in toilet - police

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Durban - A murder suspect who was being pursued by police near Vryheid hid in a toilet and, police say, shot himself at the weekend. The 22-year-old man later died in hospital. Three men were approached after police saw a suspicious vehicle in the Mkhumbane area of Mondlo. Police spokesman, Colonel Jay Naicker, said police had been tipped off at 5am on Saturday about the location of the three wanted men. He said the men had been wanted for crimes including murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property, all committed in the Mondlo area. Naicker said the other two suspects - aged 21 and 27 - were arrested in a joint operation between the Vryheid Cluster Task Team, Crime Intelligence and Mondlo police.

Firearms were recovered from the suspects’ vehicle.

“The vehicle was stopped and searched. During the search two unlicensed firearms were found. Members managed to arrest two suspects, aged 21 and 27. The third fled.”

A shoot-out then took place and a police officer and a civilian were wounded.

“Police gave chase and during the chase, the (third) suspect shot at the police, wounding one police official. The member was taken to hospital and other members pursued the suspect.

“It is further alleged that one civilian was shot and slightly wounded by the suspect,” Naicker said.

Naicker said an unlicensed firearm was found on the man who sought refuge in a toilet and shot himself.

Naicker said the two men arrested would be charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

They will appear at the Nquthu Magistrate’s Court soon and the firearms have been sent for ballistic tests to determine if they were used in other crimes.

KZN Community Safety MEC Willies Mchunu welcomed the arrests and applauded the work of the police.

“I take my hat off to the police officers who made these arrests. However, I am appalled by the brazenness of the third suspect for firing shots at the police in a community with innocent citizens.

“We welcome these arrests because it sends a clear message that the police will always catch up to suspects,” he said, urging police to dig deeper in their investigations.

Provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, promised the investigations would ensure convictions.

“Police will thoroughly investigate the case against the suspects and make sure that they are convicted and sentenced.

“We also wish for a speedy recovery for the brave police officer who was injured during the operation,” she said.

Daily News