Witbank murder: 'Irrational' suspect shot
2003-02-02 22:52
Johannesburg - A man described as "acting irrationally" was shot while being arrested in connection with the murder of one man and the wounding of another in two incidents, Witbank police said on Sunday.
Captain Olga Ballot said police were at a murder scene in Delft Street, Witbank, on Saturday at 6.15. The dead man, 51, had been shot in the head and shoulder.
While still at the scene, police had a radio report of another shooting - allegedly by the same man - just two blocks away.
The second victim, Jeffrey Sewambini, an on-duty security guard, said the suspect approached him and demanded ammunition. When Sewambini refused, he was shot.
Police found the man in a nearby street. As they approached him, he threatened to shoot himself.
The police kept their distance from the man, whom they described as acting irrationally and shouting. They summoned backup.
After about an hour-and-a-half police approached the suspect again.
He threatened to shoot the approaching police, who shot him in the left thigh and arrested him.
The suspect and Sewambini were taken to hospital where their condition was stable.
- SAPA