A 33-year-old male suspect is receiving medical attention in hospital under police guard, after being shot by a foreign national who was allegedly being robbed at gunpoint on Wednesday, 26 April. The robbery happened at about 09:15 in the parking area at Makhado Crossing in Louis Trichardt.
"It is reported that the victim parked his motor vehicle at the parking bay intending to deposit money at the bank situated at the mall. Unexpectedly, the suspect approached and pointed a firearm at the victim and demanded money in his possession," said Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
The suspect managed to rob the victim of an undisclosed amount of cash and subsequently continued to search the victim's vehicle for more money.
"While searching the motor vehicle, the victim managed to take out his licensed firearm and shot the suspect in the upper body at close range and an exchange of fire ensued," said Ledwaba.
During the shootout, one motor vehicle was hit by the bullets and the rear windscreen and front window were damaged.
"The [robbery] victim was not shot at, but the suspect sustained severe gunshots wounds and was apparently bleeding heavily before managing to flee the scene driving a white BMW motor vehicle," said Ledwaba.
An armed robbery case was opened at the Makhado SAPS and investigations immediately commenced. Information was received that the suspect went to the health centre at Bungeni seeking medical assistance where he was placed under arrest.
The acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Jan Scheepers, commended the investigation team for their alertness and commitment that enabled them to trace and subsequently apprehended the suspect.
The suspect will appear in the Louis Trichardt Magistrate Court facing charges of armed robbery once he has recovered enough from his injuries to stand trial. He remains under police guard.
Police investigations are continuing.