House robbery suspect dies in hospital after being shot by cop

AN alleged armed robber who was part of a gang of three who held up an off-duty police sergeant and his wife in their house in Vuwani, Limpopo, succumbed to his injuries in hospital after he was shot by the officer when they were robbing his home.

The police officer stationed at Mutale policing area was attacked on Sunday morning while he was asleep with his wife in Lukau Tshishive village.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the officer was awoken by a loud bang on the door and three unknown males entered the bedroom, one of them carrying a firearm.

“The suspects demanded money and cellphones from the victim and they ultimately ransacked the room and took clothes, footwear, ladies’ handbags, a wallet and bank cards. The suspect who was carrying a firearm, shot the sergeant in his shoulder and the other suspects dragged the wife to the nearby bush,” Ledwaba said.

The injured officer managed to crawl and get his service pistol and retaliated by firing a shot at the suspect who was left behind in the room.

“The suspect ran out of the house and jumped the fence and disappeared into the bush. The wife later returned and investigations are unfolding on what could have happened to her.”

While searching the bush, police found the wounded suspect in possession of the stolen goods.

Ledwaba said the man was a Zimbabwean national. He died in hospital.