Police acted ”exactly as instructed” in shooting a fugitive linked to the murders of Lichtenburg farmer At Deysel and his wife, Katerina, North West transport, roads and community safety minister Phenye Vilakazi said on Thursday.
The 29-year-old, who had escaped from police cells in Ottoshoop on Sunday, was wounded in his hand and groin early on Thursday morning when he pointed a 6,35mm pistol at an investigator who had cornered him in his hideout in the Malopo area, said police spokesperson Inspector Carina Fourie.
Describing him as the ”main suspect” in the murder investigation, Vilakazi congratulated the police on the arrest.
”Police did exactly as instructed. If they are under attack, they must defend themselves. Anyone who thinks police should not fire at criminals must think again,” he said.
Had the police not fired back, the escapee would have endangered their lives, he said.
The 29-year-old and a 41-year-old man broke out of the police holding cells in Ottoshoop on Sunday night, apparently during Eskom-imposed power cuts. The second man is still at large.
The two were being held on accusations of a series of crimes, including the murder of an elderly Ottoshoop woman, said Vilakazi.
”We must get the other suspect as well before he commits other crimes. He too must be shot at if he threatens the police,” he said.
After their escape, the two are thought to have attacked Deysel (60) and his 56-year-wife, who were found dead on their farm by neighbours who went to investigate after finding the couple’s bakkie crashed at the side of the road.
The woman had been shot. Her husband’s neck had been slit. Four firearms and a cellphone were missing.
Fourie said on Thursday that four firearms had been recovered at different locations in the area, as had goods stolen from a number of homes.
She said the wounded man — who was found after the community tipped off police about his whereabouts — was in a stable condition under police guard in hospital. — Sapa