Robber who was shot while robbing SAPS member dies

Zim Now Writer

The suspected armed robber, who was shot and wounded after he and two accomplices raided the home of a member of the South African Police Services (SAPS) in the Limpopo Province last week has succumbed to the gunshot wounds he sustained in the shooting.

The now-deceased, who is believed to be Zimbabwean, and his accomplices had broken into the SAPS sergeant’s house intending to rob him and his wife. After being shot in the shoulder by the robbers, the SAPS member managed to crawl and reach his pistol before he shot one of the intruders.

SAPS said in an update yesterday that the now-deceased, who was due to appear in court soon to answer to attempted murder and house robbery charges, had died in hospital.

“The man found in the bushes with wounds suspected to have been part of the three who forced their way into the house of a police sergeant has since died while he was hospitalised,” said Saps Limpopo province spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.

Ledwaba added that an inquest has been registered for further investigation.

The now deceased was part of a gang of three who broke into the sergeant’s home while he was sleeping with his wife, shot him before demanded money and cellphones from the SAPS member. They ransacked the room and took some clothes, footwear, ladies’ handbags and a wallet with bank cards.

The other two robbers dragged the SAPS member’s wife outside the now deceased, who was armed, remained in the house.

After being shot, the now-deceased had jumped the fence and disappeared into the bushes where he was later found wounded.