Three individuals suspected of involvement in a series of violent robberies in Waterloo, near Durban in KwaZulu Natal (KZN), were dealt with by the community within hours of their crimes, resulting in one suspect’s death, another’s injury, and a third being apprehended.
At around 22:34 on Friday, members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) received a call for help indicating that a robbery suspect had been restrained by local residents in Phase 2.
Upon arrival, Reaction Officers discovered a 20-year-old man who had been chased down, subdued, and attacked after allegedly participating in an armed robbery just minutes prior.
The victim, a 28-year-old man, recounted that he was confronted by three men while returning home from work. Two of the assailants were armed with guns, while the third wielded an Okapi knife.
He was robbed of cash and suffered stab wounds to his back and thigh before a nearby passerby intervened, causing two of the attackers to escape in a white Toyota Avanza without registration plates.
The third attacker was captured by the public and sustained facial and bodily injuries during the process. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment.
On Saturday, Reaction Officers responded to reports of a taxi driver who had been shot during an attempted robbery.
Investigations revealed that two suspects approached a Toyota Quantum taxi while the driver was dropping off his girlfriend. One of the assailants brandished a firearm and fired at the driver, who remained in his vehicle.
The taxi driver, who was armed, returned fire in self-defense, causing the suspects to flee on foot. He suffered a gunshot wound to his left abdomen and was subsequently taken to the hospital.
Multiple spent cartridges were found at the scene, and the driver’s firearm was submitted to the Verulam SAPS in KZN. The taxi sustained numerous bullet strikes.
It is believed that the deceased male was among the suspects involved in the attempted robbery, while the injured and captured individuals are also linked to the earlier robbery.
He was found with a Glock pistol in his possession.
All injured individuals were taken to the hospital for care.
