So far four suspects have been arrested following the incident, with one admitted at a local hospital in Bloemfontein after he was shot in the shoulder by a police officer. The suspect allegedly attempted to stab a police officer during the robbery at a local supermarket. Police spokesperson, Mohale Ramatseba, tells OFM News that only three of them will appear in court while the hospitalised suspect will appear as soon as he has recovered. At about 06:00 in the morning, the suspects, armed with knives, stormed a supermarket immediately after opening and demanded money from the staff. During that time the safe could not open and the local police were alerted.

“The three suspects are 21, 22 and 49 years of age,” he adds. Ramatseba says the suspect who is in hospital is under police guard. Ramatseba further said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has since been notified about the incident in order to conduct their own independent investigations. The Provincial Commissioner, Risimati Peter Shivuri, has applauded members for the speedy arrest of the suspected armed robbers and further pointed out that there won't be any breathing space for criminals throughout the festive season.

OFM News