By Thys Khiba – Eastern Cape police have arrested four male suspects believed to be linked to the fatal shooting of two operators aged between 35 and 48 in Tabankulu.
The suspects were arrested in less than eight hours of the incident, on Monday morning the 27th March 2023 at about 08:30.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the two were coming out of Tabankulu Plaza when unknown suspects appeared and fired gunshots which left them dead inside their vehicle.
“It is further alleged that the suspects aged between 33 and 36, thereafter escaped to a nearby B&B where they hid themselves from the police,” Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana.
Kinana says on realizing that they were under siege, two of the four suspects skipped through the window to a neighbourhood house where they chased away children and occupied the flat in which the children were staying.
In dealing with the scene, members of the SAPS called reinforcement and surrounded the place where the suspects had allegedly taken refuge.
“Subsequently, all four (4) suspects were arrested and during the search, three fire-arms – AK 47, two pistols and ammunition, the vehicle which was used by the suspects as a getaway car and cell phones were confiscated by the police.”
All confiscated fire-arms are expected to be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic testing, to establish if they have not been used in other murder incidents in the Eastern Cape or elsewhere around the country.
While at the scene, a 30-year-old by-stander was short in the lower body and she was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for medical care.
Police have registered double murder cases, an attempted murder and possession of unlicensed fire-arms with ammunition for investigation.
SAPS
Meanwhile, the motive behind the shooting is currently unknown, but will form part of the investigation.
All the arrested suspects are expected to appear in the TabankuluMagistrate court on Wednesday, 29 March once they are charged.
Police are asking anyone with information on the incident which may assist them in expediting their investigation, may please make contact with the investigator, Detective Captain Buduza at 071 475 1846.
CENTRAL NEWS
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