×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

KZN police attacked by mourners at funeral of alleged drug dealer

KwaZulu-Natal police seized a number of weapons, including an AK-47, an R1 rifle and two pistols, at a funeral near Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.
KwaZulu-Natal police seized a number of weapons, including an AK-47, an R1 rifle and two pistols, at a funeral near Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.
Image: supplied

Mourners pelted police with stones when they tried to arrest a group of men who allegedly fired a volley of gunshots during a funeral in Mpumalanga, outside Pietermaritzburg, on Sunday.

According to SAPS provincial spokesperson Brig Jay Naicker, police were monitoring the funeral of an alleged drug dealer at Mophela cemetery when shots were fired in what was believed to be a gun salute.

“The police officers heard the gunshots during the funeral and they responded. They identified the alleged perpetrators and approached them. While police attempted to disarm the perpetrators, a group of mourners pelted the officers with stones and other objects, obstructing them from executing their duties,” said Naicker.

Police were unable to arrest the alleged perpetrators but recovered four unlicensed firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle, an R1 rifle, two pistols and ammunition.

“The suspects managed to escape during the attack on the police officers. Police are still pursuing the suspects as they are known, and hope to make arrests soon,” said Naicker.

KwaZulu-Natal commissioner Lt-Gen Khombinkosi Jula condemned the incident.

“This poses a danger to innocent bystanders attending the funeral. We will continue to deal decisively with those who partake in such illegal activities, and we call on communities to stand up and deplore the behaviour of thugs who place lives at risk,” said Jula.

Naicker said the guns were taken for ballistic tests to establish if they were used in any other crimes.


Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.