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5 May 2012

Sibusiso Smangaliso Mbhele (27) was shot and killed during a shootout with police at approximately 09h50 on Friday, 4 May 2012, at the Tehuis Mens’ Hostel in Umlazi. He was sought by police for a murder in the High flats area and a hijacking in Umlazi.

The Durban Flying Squad received information on the wanted suspect and a response vehicle was dispatched. The suspect, who was positively identified by a witness, attempted to flee when he saw the police. The Flying Squad members managed to prevent him escaping and tried to restrain and arrest him but he resisted and drew a pistol and shot at the police. One of the policemen, a constable, narrowly missed being fatally wounded when the bullet struck his bullet-proof vest in the chest region. The policemen returned fire and Mbhele was mortally wounded.

A pistol, with the serial number ground off, was recovered by police at the scene. An inquest docket was opened to investigate the death of the suspect and a case of attempted murder was registered to investigate the shooting of the police constable.

In a similar but unrelated incident, Ndukenhle Stambu Ngobese, approximately thirty years of age, was shot and killed during a shootout with the police. At approximately 09:00 this morning, members of the KZN Provincial Task Team, Newcastle Public Order Police (POP), Dundee Crime Intelligence and Dundee Detectives surrounded a house in Hlazakazi Ward, Dundee where the suspect was reportedly hiding.

They had gathered intelligence and traced Ngobese who was sought for a murder in Dundee during April this year. Before police could penetrate the building, Ngobese allegedly came out, discharging a volley of bullets at the policemen who returned fire. He was fatally wounded and police recovered a number of spent 9mm cartridges and a pistol with the serial number erased, at the scene.

Both incidents were reported to the Independent Police Investigations Directorate (IPID).

Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner once again called for members of the Service to exercise caution when going out to arrest suspects, especially those who were on the wanted list for serious crimes.

She also urged them to comply with the national directive to wear the bullet proof vests when on duty. “The Constable’s life was saved today in Umlazi because he was wearing his bullet-proof vest. Had he not been wearing the bullet-proof vest, he would certainly have been fatally wounded. Criminals are getting more and more brazen by the day and we cannot allow any more of our police members to die by their hands”, she said.

Enquiries:
Colonel Jay Naicker
Tel: 031 325 6083 / 6084 / 6085
Fax: 031 325 6087
Cell: 082 556 7865
E-mail: kzn.mediacentre@saps.gov.za

Issued by: South African Police Service
5 May 2012

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