Cop, robbers die in shoot-out
2006-05-30 20:42
Estcourt - A policeman and two suspected robbers were shot dead after a robbery in Estcourt, said KwaZulu-Natal police on Tuesday.
A gang of about 15 men robbed a Spar supermarket in the town on Monday morning and got away with about R18 000, said captain Charmaine Struwig.
Acting on a tip-off, the police approached a house in St Chads, where the gang was hiding, but the occupants spotted them and fled into the veld.
A shoot-out ensued when police chased after the men.
Inspector Johannes "Seun" van der Walt, 36, was shot in his "upper body", and two of the suspected robbers were also fatally wounded.
All three died at the shoot-out.
A third suspected robber was also injured and taken to hospital where he is under guard.
Cops recovered R18 000
The gang was believed to have robbed the Spar about 08:10 on Monday.
They apparently robbed a security guard responding to a "panic alarm" in the store of his firearm and stole valuables off customers. They fled in a white bakkie.
Ladysmith police received the tip-off to the gang's whereabouts about midday.
They recovered R18 000 and other items that could be linked to the Spar robbery, at the hideout in St Chads.
An AK-47, seven pistols, several cellphone airtime cards and at least 20 cellphones were recovered from the house.
"Three vehicles allegedly used in the robbery were also recovered."
A further four men were arrested and are expected to appear in court on Wednesday on charges of murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms, said Struwig.
- SAPA