One killed after botched Kraaifontein robbery

ONE person was killed and several others wounded when a robbery of a woman in Kraaifontein spiralled out of control.

The City of Cape Town said in a statement law enforcement officers responded to a call for assistance in the northern suburbs on Tuesday.

“Officers arrived on scene to find a group of youths being assaulted,” said the City’s Wayne Dyason.

“It’s alleged they robbed a lady and when she screamed for help, taxi drivers responded and started assaulting the suspects.

“When members of the public gathered to stop the assault, the taxi drivers allegedly opened fire on them, wounding two bystanders.”

According to Dyason, law enforcement arrived on the scene and returned fire before the suspects fled in a minibus.

“During the ensuing chase, there was another exchange of gunfire and two suspects were wounded. One of them later died in hospital,” Dyason said.

The South African Police Service are investigating the incident and the City was cooperating, he added.

Meanwhile, two suspects aged 24 and 35, who were arrested in Nyanga, appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on charges of hijacking yesterday.

“The duo was arrested on Monday after they had allegedly hijacked a vehicle on Friday, August 10, in Borcherd’s Quarry,” said police spokesperson FC Van Wyk.