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HOUSEBREAKING SUSPECT KILLED IN SHOOTOUT WITH POLICE

By NOKUPHILA HAJI | 2024-12-19

A Mozambican man, notorious for housebreaking, was shot and killed in a gunfight with the police on Tuesday.

The 55 year old was killed after he opened fire on the police who raided his hide out after residents around Thembelihle where most of the house break-ins were reported, raised an alarm.

The residents are said to have then called the police after a string of housebreaking incidents were reported in the area and surrounding areas, with one house said to have been broken into more than two times.

According to a source, the residents are said to have led the police to the man’s hiding place where upon seeing them approach, he opened fire.

“He was found hiding in a cave with the items but immediately he saw the police, he opened fire. The police fired and he was killed in the exchange,” said the source.

Among the items recovered by the police were kitchen utensils, sound systems, blankets, food, television sets and electronic appliances.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said the police were continuing with their operation ‘Sesikhona’.

The police mouthpiece said they received many cases of housebreaking in Thembelihle and surrounding areas thus promptly responded to the tip-off about a man living in a cave, which was suspicious.

“This is where he was also hiding the stolen items. When we went there to arrest him, he attacked by firing at the police and police retaliated fire,” she said.

Vilakati said it was unfortunate that the suspect ended up losing his life and mentioned that the items recovered from the crime scene were kept at the Mbabane Police Station.

“We urge everyone whose home has been broken into to come to the police station and identify their items,” she said.

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