DURBAN- Today, two off-duty police officers from the Umlazi K9 Unit arrested three suspects and recovered a firearm as well as a hijacked bakkie at Amanzimtoti.

It is alleged that at 07:30, the victim was leaving his premises at Illovu B Section when he was accosted by four armed suspects. At gunpoint, they hijacked his vehicle and stole his personal belongings including a cellphone as well as a wrist watch.

The victim immediately contacted an off-duty police officer who took his private vehicle to pick up his other colleague in KwaMakhutha and both police officers placed themselves on duty. Whilst they were driving in KwaMakhutha, they spotted the hijacked vehicle driving towards Amanzimtoti.

They immediately requested for backup and other units in the vicinity responded. The vehicle was intercepted on Blaze Way in Amanzimtoti and there was a shoot-out. Three suspects sustained injuries and were found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, the victim’s cellphone and wristwatch. The suspects have been taken to hospital for medical attention under police guard.

The suspects will be charged for carjacking, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm as well as possession of suspected stolen property. They will appear in court soon. The investigating officers are busy profiling the suspects to determine if they can be linked to other hijackings in the province.

Source: South African Police Service