Dangerous suspect killed in shoot-out with police

A dangerous suspect was shot and killed by the police while his accomplice fled on foot during a violent shoot-out in Tshakhuma at around noon on Wednesday, 29 March.

The deceased was identified as Tshimangadzo Nemaembeni (35) from Tshakhuma. Nemaembeni and his accomplice were allegedly among the most feared gangsters in the area and were linked to countless crimes in the Vhembe area. Both were on the police’s Most Wanted list.

On the day of the incident, the police received a tip-off from members of the community who saw the two suspects at the Tshakhuma graveyard, reportedly helping some people digging a grave for a funeral. “When the police arrived at the graveyard, the two suspects started to run away, into the nearby bushes, with the police in close pursuit. The suspects then opened fire on the police, who retaliated. Subsequently, one of the suspects was shot dead. The other suspect managed to evade arrest and fled the scene on foot. A manhunt ensued for the remaining other suspect,” said Limpopo police spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.

The drama played out like a scene from a Hollywood action movie, with gunfire being exchanged between the armed suspects and the police. A witness, who could not be named, said they heard gunfire coming from the bushes next to a local car wash. Within a short space of time, a big crowd had gathered at the scene. “There were many police there and a man was lying face-down in a pool of blood on the ground. We suspected him to be one of the gang members that was being hunted by the police.” The source said the scene was very scary.

Mojapelo warned criminals to stop terrorising communities as, by doing so, they will meet the full might of the law. He also called on communities to work hand in hand with the police in fighting crime.

The spokesperson for the National Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), Lizzy Suping, said that the death of a suspect was being investigated. “Our investigators are still in the vicinity,” she said. She did not want to divulge any further information, saying that the information first needed to be verified.

Date:07 April 2023

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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