A man who took a bullet while helping to apprehend a robbery suspect on Port Elizabeth’s beachfront got a visit on Thursday from a top city cop.
Mount Road Police Cluster Commander, Major-General Thembisile Patekile, went to St George’s Hospital to thank 35-year-old Rest Pemhiwa, who was wounded in the hip after struggling with the suspect.
The drama began on Wednesday morning when a man snatched a gold chain from the neck of a 74-year-old British tourist who had stopped to rest on a bench with her husband.
Police said two men, one on a bicycle and another in a bakkie saw what had happened and gave chase. They managed to stop the taxi and haul the suspect out, but, in the ensuing struggle a shot went off, wounding Pemhiwa in the hip.
The suspect was apprehended and a firearm recovered at the scene.
“We need the good people like Pemhiwa from the community to help us and be the eyes and ears for the police,” said General Patekile.
“It is unfortunate that he was shot but it is good to know that his condition is not life-threatening. We appreciate his and the efforts of the other people that were involved in apprehending the suspect. We wish him a speedy recovery,’ said Patekile.
(Pic: SAPS - Pemhiwa requested that his face not be shown according to SAPS)
