THE peace of a quiet suburb in East London was shattered yesterday when a man allegedly shot and critically injured two other men trying to rob him of cash.
The dramatic incident took place just after 4pm in Dawn, near Wilsonia, when two robbery suspects allegedly followed a man who had just drawn cash from a bank back to his home.
Minutes later the man, who police did not name, was accosted by the two men, both armed with firearms, who demanded money from him.
Apparently, the two had followed the man from East London’s CBD to his house as he told police he recognised them after seeing them at the bank.
Police said the man tried to defend his family as the suspects started to behave angrily, allegedly demanding that he hurry up and hand over the cash.
“The man’s daughter, who is between 7 and 8 years old, was at the house and saw what was going on and tried to warn her father,” police said. “The two suspects tried to push her around and the man produced his firearm and shot towards them.”
Seeing that the man was firing towards them, the two tried to flee. “Four shots were fired and one of the suspects was shot in the head and the other one in the back.
“Their condition is critical.”
The man then called the police . A few minutes later police arrived and ambulances were also called.
When the Daily Dispatch arrived just before 5pm, the suspects were still being treated at the scene, outside the yard of the house, by emergency paramedics.
There was blood everywhere, and the house was cordoned off so police could prevent anyone from entering the crime scene.
A resident, who gave her name only as Bukelwa, said they were happy about what the man had allegedly done to the two suspects. “ These people followed from the bank to his house, imagine that. Are we safe? This will be a lesson to all the suspects out there who are a danger to our community. This country is full of criminals.”
The two injured men were rushed to Frere Hospital.
Attempts to speak to the man who allegedly shot the suspects were unsuccessful as he was too traumatised to talk and remained in his house.
A family member, who would not identify herself, said the man could not talk to the media as he was recovering from shock.
“It was self defence as his family was in danger. Now he realises he has shot people and it’s the first time that he has fired a shot at a person,” she said.
Police couldn’t be reached for comment last night. - By BONGANI FUZILE
Good story though. I love hearing about the pain, suffering and death of criminals. 
