“Suspect” shot dead by South African army near border with Mozambique

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“Suspect” shot dead by South African army near border with Mozambique

4:14 CAT | 25 Mar 2022

Photo: Twitter / @SAPoliceService

A shootout on Thursday between the South African army and three suspects during an operation to recover three vehicles reportedly stole in South Africa and being driven to Mozambique left one person dead near the border with the neighbouring country.

According to the South African Police (SAPS), the incident took place in Mbuzini, in the northeast of the country, where a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) border patrol of the was called to intercept three stolen vehicles heading to Mozambique.

“Information from police reports indicate that on Wednesday, 23 March, 2022, at about 20h30, members from Mbuzini received a tip-off about the suspected stolen vehicles, two Toyota Hilux bakkies and a Toyota Prado, which were all heading towards the Mozambique border,” a SAPS press release reads.

“They immediately contacted SANDF, as the vehicles were a few kilometres from the border, where SANDF members were already waiting for them,” it adds.

According to the South African authorities, “the suspects allegedly ignored the warning to stop, resulting in a shootout in which members of the army fired shots”.

“As a result, one of the suspects is said to have been shot, whilst the other two fled, leaving behind all the vehicles,” the statement reads.

“The suspect who was shot succumbed to his injuries and was certified dead at the scene,” SAPS adds.

The South Africa authorities said that two of the vehicles were reported stolen from Delmas and Grootvlei, Mpumalanga, and the third one had not yet been reported stolen, but reflected ‘Toyota SA’ as its owner.

The remaining suspects are still at large and police urge the public to assist with information that may lead to their arrest by contacting the Branch Commander, Detective Warrant Officer Solomon Sambo on 082 448 9653 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

#sapsMP Collaborative efforts between Mbuzini #SAPS and @SANDF_ZA lead to the recovery of stolen vehicles on 23/03 near Mozambique border line. One suspect shot and killed. Accomplices sought #CrimeStop #TrioCrimes #CrossBorderCrimes MEhttps://t.co/We8EigLNOu pic.twitter.com/GR0VHtFRC9

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 24, 2022