Pinetown police have arrested a 35-year-old suspect for attempted carjacking, attempted murder, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, following a now-viral incident where a local father fired on the suspects, killing one of them.
Police effected the arrest on Sunday, 25 October, at KwaDabeka township.
The Pinetown father has been hailed a hero after he protected his two children who were in the car.
The crime unfolded on Friday, October 9, along Lea Place in Pinetown. The father and his two children were driving out of their yard when a white vehicle blocked their vehicle in what was allegedly an attempted hijacking.
The suspects alighted from the vehicle and immediately started opening fire. The father retaliated, fatally wounding one of the suspects. The remaining suspects fled the scene in their vehicle.
Dashcam footage of the incident has gone viral, with commentators saying this illustrates how self-defence and a justifiable shooting can protect lives amid South Africa’s high crime rate.
The 35-year-old suspect will appear at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 27 October. KZN police spokesperson Lt. Col Paul Magwaza confirmed the father of the two children is not facing any charges.
