A suspect is under police watch in hospital having lost his alleged co-conspirator in a shooting following a break-in in the Lansdowne area.

The armed suspects allegedly broke into a house on Rokeby Road in Crawford on Wednesday night.

They are said to have tied up the victims in the house and demanded cash from them.

Police say a shooting broke out, with one of the suspects killed and a second suspect wounded. It is not clear who opened fire. 

Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, said a case of house robbery was opened at Lansdowne police station.

“According to reports the victims were at home when unknown suspects entered the house armed with firearms and demanded cash. The victims were tied up. We can confirm that shots were fired and one suspect was fatally wounded. A suspect who was also wounded was later arrested and is in hospital under police guard,” said Twigg, urging witnesses or anyone with information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.

The Lansdowne Community Policing Forum’s Naz Mohidin Karodia said that, fortunately, the family on the property was not harmed.

While the circumstances are under investigation, Karodia has also urged the public to avoid speculation and to refrain from sharing unverified information. 

“We do urge our community to allow SAPS to conduct their investigation without interference,” she said.

She also urged members of Crawford and surrounding communities to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons, vehicles or activity.

Karodia said that if locals have anything to report, they can also contact the Lansdowne police station on 021 700 0946.