A KwaZulu-Natal man linked to a notorious robbery syndicate operating around Musina is battling for his life in a local hospital after the getaway vehicle over-turned along the Musina-Tshipise road while the robbers were fleeing from the police in a high-speed chase.

The SAPS spokesperson for Musina, Captain Mihloti Ringane, confirmed the incident, saying the suspect, believed to be aged 35, was among a group of four suspected armed robbers who were fleeing from the police after they had allegedly broken into a Zimbabwean-registered vehicle, which had been parked outside Spar Supermarket in Musina while the owner was busy shopping.

The incident occurred on Thursday at around 11:00, about 10km out of Musina.

“We arrested four suspects from KwaZulu-Natal, following a high-speed chase. This was after their vehicle, a red Mazda 626, had veered off the road and overturned, resulting in one of the suspects’ sustaining severe injuries,” he said.

He was subsequently taken to the Musina Hospital. The other three suspects, however, escaped with minor injuries and are currently in police custody.

“We recovered a bundle of Allen keys, which we suspect were used in committing the offense and we also found a stolen bag containing several bank cards, a Zimbabwean ID document and a few other valuables. In fact, we suspect these people are operating as a syndicate in which they target mostly foreign cars. We are, however, continuing with our investigations,” said the police spokesperson.

Capt Ringane said of late there had been an upsurge in the number of armed robbery and car-breaking cases occurring around Musina and Beit Bridge border post. Recently, a Zimbabwean traveller lost R120 000 at the Beit Bridge border post after his vehicle was broken into while he was busy completing customs and immigration formalities inside the customs and immigration hall on the South African side of the border.