A suspect wanted for the murder of a twenty-two (22) year old man was arrested by Reaction Officers before an angry crowd attempted to attack Policemen and prevent them from removing the accused from an area in Ndwedwe - KZN today (Tuesday, 23/06/2026).
Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) received information that the suspect had concealed himself in dense bushes. A drone was launched and the Pilot conducted an extensive aerial search of the area. Despite the operation, the suspect could not be located.
Reaction Officers thereafter began questioning several residents, relatives and associates in an attempt to trace the wanted man. During the investigation, Officers established that the suspect had sought refuge at a relative’s residence.
Reaction Officers proceeded to the property and conducted a search. After approximately two (2) hours, the suspect was discovered hiding beneath a bed inside a bedroom. He was restrained and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) were summoned to the scene.
Upon the arrival of Police, the accused was handed over without incident. However, a large crowd soon gathered and demanded that the suspect be released into their custody. Several individuals openly threatened to attack the Policemen if they attempted to remove him from the area.
After the suspect was loaded into a SAPS vehicle, the situation escalated. Members of the crowd pelted the vehicle with stones and blocked the driveway with concrete blocks and steel drums. Individuals armed with weapons surrounded the area and threatened to set the state vehicle alight. The two (2) Policemen and their prisoner were effectively trapped for approximately one (1) hour.
Reaction Officers were immediately redeployed to the remote location while the RUSA Helicopter was dispatched to the scene. The aircrew maintained aerial surveillance and provided intelligence to the ground crews regarding the movement and activities of the crowd.
Backup Officers secured the scene as the crowd continued protesting around the SAPS vehicle. Reaction Officers removed the obstacles blocking the roadway and created an escape route.
The trapped Policemen and the murder suspect were thereafter escorted to safety without further incident.
