Two suspects who were on their way to allegedly commit a cross pavement robbery were killed during a shoot-out with police on Thursday.
Cross pavement robbery is when security guards are robbed while dropping or collecting money at retailer shops or ATMs.
The incident happened on the R59 road at Kliprivier while the suspects were on their way to Sedibeng in Gauteng.
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, said police received information about suspects who were on their way to commit a cross pavement robbery.
“The suspects were intercepted and when approached they started firing at the police who retaliated by fatally shooting two of the suspects while one of them fled the scene on foot,” said Nevhuhulwi.
Nevhuhulwi said one police officer was shot during the incident.
One firearm was recovered on the scene and preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle used by the suspects was reported stolen at Alexandra sometime in October 2024.
On Tuesday, an armed civilian defended himself against a group of suspected hijackers and left three suspected hijackers dead.
According to various witness reports, six men in two cars attempted to pull a motorist off the road, posing as law enforcement officers.
Nevhuhulwi said the motorist was driving when he was accosted by people in two vehicles, purporting to be police officers.
“It is alleged that a man was driving on the highway when occupants on two different vehicles signalled him to stop and showed him what looked like a police appointment certificate,” said Nevhuhulwi.
“When he stopped, three males from the red Kia Rio vehicle approached and told him there is something wrong under his car. When he bent to check, he was pointed with a knife and instructed not to move as they wanted his car and not him.”
The motorist who had a firearm on his waist immediately responded and started shooting.
“The suspects from another vehicle, a blue Ford Focus, also shot back while driving off. Three suspects were declared dead on the scene,” said Nevhuhulwi.
She said police in Gauteng are investigating a case of murder, attempted murder and attempted hijacking.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
IOL News