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Police shot man 'as instructed'
24/04/2008 19:07 - (SA)
Lichtenburg - Police acted "exactly as instructed" in shooting a fugitive linked to the murders of farmer At Deysel and his wife, Katerina, said North West community safety MEC Phenye Vilakazi on Thursday.
The 29-year-old, who escaped from police cells in Ottoshoop on Sunday, was wounded in his hand and groin early on Thursday morning when he pointed a 6.35mm pistol at an investigator who had cornered him in his hideout in the Malopo area, said Inspector Carina Fourie.
Describing him as the "main suspect" in the murder investigation, Vilakazi congratulated the police on the arrest.
He said: "Police did exactly as instructed. If they are under attack, they must defend themselves. Anyone who thinks police should not fire at criminals must think again," he said.
Had the police not fired back, the escapee would have endangered their lives, he said.
Two being held for murder
The 29-year-old man and a 41-year-old man broke out of the police holding cells in Ottoshoop on Sunday night, apparently during Eskom-imposed power cuts.
The 41-year-old man is still at large.
The two were being held for a series of crimes, including the murder of an elderly Ottoshop woman, said Vilakazi.
"We must get the other suspect as well before he commits other crimes. He, too, must be shot at if he threatens the police," said Vilakazi.
After their escape, the two are thought to have attacked Deysel, 60, and his 56-year-wife, who were found dead on their farm by neighbours who went to investigate after finding the couple's bakkie crashed at the side of the road.
The woman had been shot. Her husband's neck had been slit. Four firearms and a cellphone were missing.
Fourie said on Thursday that four firearms had been recovered at different locations in the area, as had goods stolen from a number of homes.
She said the wounded man - who was found after the community tipped-off police about his whereabouts - was in a stable condition under police guard in hospital.
- SAPA
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