Police officers working at a Pietermaritzburg police station came under attack from a gunman who entered and began shooting at them on Sunday.
POLICE officers working at a Pietermaritzburg police station came under attack from a gunman who entered and began shooting at them during the early hours of Sunday morning.
Security company Mi7 National Group director Colin David said the suspect fired multiple shots before he fled on foot.
David said after the shooting that Safe City operators, who monitor CCTV systems across the Pietermaritzburg CBD, worked quickly to track the suspect, who got into a Nissan NP200 bakkie with another man.
He said information regarding the description of the vehicle and the shooter was quickly circulated and Mi7 Strategic Threat Response units were immediately dispatched to the area to assist police in the search for the vehicle.
“It is believed members of the police spotted the vehicle in the lower CBD and gave chase – the suspect firing shots at their pursuers as the chase ensued. Police returned fire and a high-speed chase and shootout commenced, the ordeal lasting about 10 minutes and going through from the CBD into the Scottsville area,” he said.
David said the vehicle managed to get away in the Scottsville area.
However, he said a short while later the vehicle was found by police teams abandoned on Windsor Avenue.
A widespread search for the suspects ensued, he said.
To further assist in the search, David said the Mi7 National Group deployed its Mobile Command Centre, which is a large surveillance vehicle equipped with thermal and night vision surveillance cameras as well as drone technology, to the area.
“Mi7 surveillance drones, equipped with thermal vision, were also deployed in the area to seek out the suspects over a wider range,” he added.
David said an Mi7 team member spotted two men walking on the roadside on Steele Road, one of whom matched the description of the shooter.
“The remaining police and Mi7 teams arrived shortly after being notified and both suspects were taken into police custody,” he said.
According to David, the shooter was positively identified at the station where the incident occurred.
David said the matter is under further investigation by the police.
“The motive for the shooting is unclear, and under investigation but thankfully, nobody was injured,” he said.
The Mi7 management applauded the combined effort and teamwork displayed by members of the security cluster.
“We also applaud the Mi7 team member who bravely confronted the suspects, knowing they were armed, and followed his specialised training to carry out the arrest,” added David.
The police have been approached for comment.
