BRAVE COPS CALLED FOR BACKUP

BRAVE COPS CALLED FOR BACKUP

BRIAN KAJENGO

Nelspruit –On Wednesday 5 February 2014 the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thulani Ntobela hails Detective Lieutenant John Mbambo who is the Tonga Cluster Detective Coordinator and Detective Constable Jabulani Ndlovu, stationed at Calcutta police station.

The two cops have unbelievable bravery unfolded when Ndlovu received a call from the public informing him about an armed robbery that was in progress.

Ndlovu waked an extra but his off duty activities to help the public. Ndlovu did not hesitate to automatically place himself on duty and contacted Mbambo who was also off duty.

Ndlovu and Mbambo used their private vehicles to track the suspects, when Ndlovu spotted a Toyota Quantum kombi fitting the description of the hi-jacked vehicle and chased after it.

“When the suspects realised that they followed, they opened fire at Ndlovu and he retaliated but no one was injured. The suspects stopped the kombi and ran away in different directions. At this moment Mbambo also closed in and they also asked for help from the public.” Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said.

The community responded to the back up call by two brave cops and apprehend three villains and also recovered three firearms with serial numbers filled off.

The two members sequel the acts of the suspects and found that earlier on, a gang of eight heavily armed suspects attacked one of the shops at the Mkhuhlu Shopping Complex. Five of the suspects entered the shop and three stood guard outside.

It’s alleged that the five suspects went inside the shop, confronted the manager’s office and pointed her with firearms.

“They demanded the safe keys and money. It’s alleged they took an undisclosed amount of cash from the safe and fled the scene using two vehicles, a Toyota Camry and a Mazda bakkie leaving the three other suspects who stood guard.” Brigadier Mohlala said.

Police received information that the three suspects ran towards the Mkhuhlu Post Office and then hi-jacked the Quantum.

The Provincial Commissioner said that “The bravery displayed by the two members is explicit. Some police members when off duty and confronted with such kind of a situation, might think differently than the two members. I am grateful to have such gallant members. The same goes to the community members who assisted the members in catching these wrong doers. This is evidence that police cannot win the battle of crime alone”.

The three suspects Victor Mhlongo (29) from KwaZulu Natal,   Dennis Gama (30) reported to be from Kanyamazane together with Albert Nyathi (36) from Zimbabwe, appeared before the Calcutta Magistrate’s Court on Monday 03 February 2014.

They were not asked to plead and their case of armed robbery, car hi-jacking, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition was postponed to tomorrow 06 February 2014, for further investigation.

The community hereby urged to assist the police in identifying the remaining suspects. Anyone with information requested to contact Lieutenant Colonel John Mbambo at 072 638 1519.