terrorist EFF Johannesburg Melville Shooting New Year's Eve

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Melville shooting: Possible breakthrough after SAPS track alleged syndicate

Police, during a raid, found a group of suspects they think could be linked to the New Year’s Melville shooting.

terrorist EFF Johannesburg Melville Shooting New Year's Eve

Image via Twitter: EMER-G-MED
@EMER_G_MED

The South African Police Service (SAPS) may have made a breakthrough in the New Years Melville shooting which took place earlier this year. 

On Thursday 23 July in a pre-dawn intelligence-driven raid, police swooped in on an alleged kidnapping syndicate at a house in Kliprivier. They believe the suspects there could be linked to a drive-by shooting on New Year’s Eve in Melville, in which two people died and six were left injured.

MELVILLE SHOOTING: POLICE SWOOP IN ON ALLEGED SYNDICATE  

The SAPS, following leads on the kidnapping of an Indian National who was taken on 2 July, led them to a house in Kliprivier.  

There, they found a total of five men, two of whom were foreign nationals. 

“Three of these men are likely to be charged with kidnapping while the other two, possibly for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition,” said Police Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo. 

“The investigation team also recovered foreign military uniforms, several firearms including rifles and pistols, some of which were buried in the garden on the same property. Some of the long guns include two AK 47 rifles, one Uzzi submachine gun, and two pump-action shotguns,” he added. 

“We are also investigating the possibility that this group may also be linked to Melville drive-by shooting on New Year’s Day this year,” Naidoo said. 

On Friday 24 July, another breakthrough was made. The 72-year-old Indian national, who was kidnapped on 2 July, was found alive. 

National Commissioner of Police General Khehla John Sitole, who visited the house in Kliprivier, said the team should not rest until the victim is found and reunited with his family. 

“The team rescued the victim in the area of Kensington in Johannesburg during [the] early hours of this morning. No further details on the rescue can be provided at this stage in order to protect the investigation,” said Naidoo. 

The victim stated that he was not physically harmed but as a precautionary measure he was taken to hospital for a thorough medical examination. 

In the meantime, of the five suspects who were arrested on Thursday, three men are to be charged with kidnapping and they will appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday 27 July 2020.

The remaining two, a man and a woman, will be charged for being in possession of firearms unlawfully and they will appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

NEW YEARS DRIVE-BY SHOOTING 

While people were ringing in the new year, celebrating with friends at a local restaurant in Melville, they were suddenly shot at with a shower of bullets. 

Police spokesperson Mathapelo Peters confirmed the incident on that dreadful day. 

“It is reported that a BMW SUV approached from 7th Avenue and suddenly, multiple shots were allegedly fired from the BMW at patrons who were sitting outside the restaurant,” he said.

“Eight people were shot, two of whom were declared dead on the scene, while six were rushed to nearby hospitals with two of the six in a critical condition,” he added.

Peters said the attack left two women, between the ages of 30 and 40, dead.