Police officer shot in Northam

Northam/ Thabazimbi – A police officer from Thabazimbi became the latest victim of crime in an armed robbery on Friday, 16 February.

Administration personnel of Lock & Stock Auctions at the Dorsmasjien close to Northam, heard a gunshot. Esmè Behrens’ first reaction was to grab the first aid kit and to make her way to the scene. 
She found warrant officer Thumane from the Thabazimbi Police lying on the ground, bleeding profusely from a gunshot wound he sustained to the leg. She immediately applied first aid to the injured officer. 

An ambulance which had been summoned by one of her colleagues, Rolene Ferreira, arrived on scene within minutes. 

Two suspects driving a white Audi A4 fled the scene, followed by two bystanders who gave chase, only to lose sight of the suspects in Northam.

W/O Thumane said: “I withdrew cash in Rustenburg in order to buy cattle at the auction. I noticed that I was being followed, but never thought I would be robbed with so many people present at the auction. As I got out of my vehicle, the passenger of the white Audi overpowered me, taking the cash that I had with me. I called out for help and at that moment the driver of the Audi got out of the vehicle and shot me in the leg.”

Northam Police station commander, lieutenant colonel Moseki said: “We urge the public to come forward with any information to assist in the arrest of these two suspects as soon as possible. We thank Johan Schreuder and Izak Nienaber for the assistance to W/O Thumane at the time of the shooting.”

W/O Thumane is in a stable condition and was transferred from Mediclinic Thabazimbi to the Peglerae hospital in Rustenburg, awaiting an operation to remove the bullet from his leg.

If you have any information on the suspects or the vehicle they were travelling in, please contact the Northam police station on 014-784 4100.