A violent altercation between a couple on the freeway ended with four men – including the husband of a pregnant woman who was tied up – being arrested by vigilant off-duty police officers.
The drama happened on Tuesday during peak hour traffic on the N2 near the Amalinda off-ramp.
It caused traffic to back up as the officers ordered the suspects to lie on the road as they were being cuffed.
A pregnant woman, 35, was rescued from a traumatic ride.
Her hands were tied in front of her.
She was in the vehicle with her husband and three other men.
Two guns were found in the vehicle.
The woman, who is believed to be six months pregnant, held up her tied up hands and waved them when she saw three police officers at an intersection.
A team of three off-duty police officers came to her rescue.
Warrant Officer Thomas Henning reportedly jumped out his vehicle and approached the driver of the vehicle.
He ordered everyone else to get out of the car.
The officers searched and disarmed the passengers and calmed the hysterical woman, who reportedly tried to jump into the moving traffic.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said upon investigation the three male passengers were released.
However, the 33-year-old husband was arrested on charges of assault.
Police said the couple were having a domestic fight.
“The suspects were in possession of two firearms but were released after they managed to produce licences for both,” Mzuku said.
“The SAPS members, armed with one rifle and their combined experience and teamwork, managed to quickly apprehend and disarm the suspects on the busy highway,” Mzuku said.
Back-up police officers were called to the scene and some assisted with directing peak hour traffic.
Mzuku said the officers who assisted with the arrest of the husband were police trainers who put into practice what they taught others every day.
The suspect is expected to appear in the East London Magistrate Court today to be charged with assault.
Henning said he realised afterwards that police officers are never off-duty and “should stay vigilant at all times and be ready to ready to serve.
“As trainers we were able to put into practice what we teach police trainees on a daily basis”.
Off-duty cops rescue woman tied up in car on freeway
The drama happened on Tuesday during peak hour traffic on the N2 near the Amalinda off-ramp.
It caused traffic to back up as the officers ordered the suspects to lie on the road as they were being cuffed.
A pregnant woman, 35, was rescued from a traumatic ride.
Her hands were tied in front of her.
She was in the vehicle with her husband and three other men.
Two guns were found in the vehicle.
The woman, who is believed to be six months pregnant, held up her tied up hands and waved them when she saw three police officers at an intersection.
A team of three off-duty police officers came to her rescue.
Warrant Officer Thomas Henning reportedly jumped out his vehicle and approached the driver of the vehicle.
He ordered everyone else to get out of the car.
The officers searched and disarmed the passengers and calmed the hysterical woman, who reportedly tried to jump into the moving traffic.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said upon investigation the three male passengers were released.
However, the 33-year-old husband was arrested on charges of assault.
Police said the couple were having a domestic fight.
“The suspects were in possession of two firearms but were released after they managed to produce licences for both,” Mzuku said.
“The SAPS members, armed with one rifle and their combined experience and teamwork, managed to quickly apprehend and disarm the suspects on the busy highway,” Mzuku said.
Back-up police officers were called to the scene and some assisted with directing peak hour traffic.
Mzuku said the officers who assisted with the arrest of the husband were police trainers who put into practice what they taught others every day.
The suspect is expected to appear in the East London Magistrate Court today to be charged with assault.
Henning said he realised afterwards that police officers are never off-duty and “should stay vigilant at all times and be ready to ready to serve.
“As trainers we were able to put into practice what we teach police trainees on a daily basis”.
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