Man arrested in dramatic Toti shootout
A high-speed chase and dramatic exchange of gunfire has ended in the arrest of a man, one of four linked to the shooting of an off-duty police officer in Amanzimtoti over the weekend
Police say the alleged hijacker was badly wounded in a hail of bullets unleashed by vehicle tracking operators and remained in a serious condition in hospital under police guard.
The wounded man is alleged to have been part of a group who hijacked an off-duty officer in Amanzimtoti on Friday evening.
Police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said that the man had been relieved of his Hyundai i10 by three gunmen who, in the fracas, had shot him in the leg and fled with his car.
"He was taken to hospital for medical attention. A case of car hijacking and attempted murder was opened at Amanzimtoti police station for investigation," he said.
"The next day, the vehicle tracking company recovered the hijacked vehicle with four occupants at Mariannhill. Suspects fired shots at the trackers and they retaliated.
"One suspect was injured and others fled on foot. He was then arrested and a firearm was recovered. He was taken to hospital for medical attention under police guard."
Zwane said the man would be charged with attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm.
(File photo: Gallo Images)