6 held after shoot-out on N2

2012-01-15 17:35

Johannesburg - Six men planning to stage an armed robbery in the Eastern Cape were arrested in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Sunday.

Captain Thulani Zwane said the six were arrested after a high speed chase and a shoot-out with the police on the N2 highway on Saturday.

Police received information that six men driving in a VW Jetta were in possession of illegal firearms. Police spotted the car on the N2 near Port Shepstone. They attempted to stop it but the driver sped off.

"When the vehicle was eventually forced to stop further down the road, two of the occupants alighted and allegedly fired shots toward the members while fleeing on foot," he said.

"The police returned fire and the suspects disappeared in the nearby bushes. Four other occupants from the vehicle surrendered to police and were promptly placed under arrest. Two unlicensed pistols were recovered in their possession."

The dog unit tracked the two who had fled into the bushes. They were found with bullet wounds in their legs.

"When questioned by police, the arrested men admitted to being on their way to Bizana in the Eastern Cape, to commit a planned armed robbery."

They have been charged with possession of the suspected stolen vehicle, attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Zwane said they were expected to appear in the Port Shepstone Magistrate's Court on Monday.

- SAPA