Police officer robbed
off his firearm by thugs
According to the SAPS’s
spokesman, Sgt Kholofelo Phokane, the officer noticed a Nissan 1400 parked on
the R36 when he reported for duty.
June 1, 2017
OHRIGSTAD
– Two men stole a policeman’s pistol on Monday after injuring him while he was
investigating a case of theft of motor vehicle.The Ohrigstad SAPS police
officer was disarmed when he put his life on the line in an attempt to inspect
a car that he suspected was stolen.
According to the SAPS’s spokesman, Sgt
Kholofelo Phokane, the officer noticed a Nissan 1400 parked on the R36 when he
reported for duty. The description of the vehicle matched that of a bakkie that
was reported stolen in Burgersfort.
“He decided to take his private vehicle and
check the registration numbers. When walking towards the vehicle two occupants
got out, grabbed him and forced him into the nearby bushes.
”Phokane revealed
that a scuffle broke out between the men and the constable, which led to the
man in blue sustaining injuries to a finger.
“The men managed to take his
service pistol.
The brave member managed to summon reinforcements and during
the subsequent manhunt, a firearm believed to belong to the suspects, was found
in the vicinity of the scene,” he added.
The police said the gun’s serial number
had been filed off.The Nissan was recovered.Limpopo SAPS’s provincial
commissioner, Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba, urged the police involved in the case to be
relentless in pursuing the suspects until they have been apprehended and the
firearm recovered.
”We also call on our communities to assist the police by
providing information that can lead to the arrest of these criminals,” said
Ledwaba.
