WATCH | Murder suspect arrested as mob attack forces dramatic police rescue in KZN

Mob attack

Durban – A 22-year-old murder suspect was arrested in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday before police were forced to extract him to safety after an angry crowd attempted to storm officers and prevent his removal.

Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said officers acted on information that the suspect, wanted for murder, was hiding in dense bushes in the area. A drone was deployed to assist in the search, but he was not immediately located.

Officers then conducted ground investigations and questioned residents and associates, leading them to a relative’s home where the suspect was believed to be hiding.

“After approximately two hours, the suspect was discovered hiding beneath a bed inside a bedroom,” RUSA said.

The suspect was restrained and handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) without incident.

However, tensions escalated when a large group gathered and demanded the suspect’s release. Police said some individuals threatened officers and vowed to attack if the suspect was removed from the area.

After the suspect was placed in a SAPS vehicle, the situation turned violent as the crowd threw stones and blocked the driveway with concrete blocks and steel drums. Armed individuals reportedly surrounded the area and threatened to set the vehicle alight.

“The two policemen and their prisoner were effectively trapped for approximately one hour,” RUSA said.

RUSA deployed additional officers and a helicopter to the scene to assist with crowd control and provide aerial support. Backup units later cleared the road and created an escape route for the trapped officers.

Police were eventually able to remove the suspect and escort him to safety without further incident.

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