By Everson Luhanga
One suspect was shot dead while four others escaped after a shootout with police in Marlboro near Alexandra, Johannesburg, on Wednesday.
The suspects had shot and wounded a business owner in Centurion near Pretoria before escaping in a Toyota Corolla Quest.
The identity of the car used in the business robbery had been circulated, and the authorities were on the lookout for it.
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said officials spotted the vehicle travelling south on the Woodmead offramp.
“Police tried to stop the vehicle, but the suspects drove off,” he said.
The vehicle then came to a stop after hitting a concrete barrier. All five suspects started fleeing on foot while shooting at the police. Police returned fire.
One of the suspects was shot and killed, while four others escaped arrest.
The business owner was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds.
When the Scrolla.Africa team arrived at the scene the body of a suspect who was killed during the shootout was still lying in the grass with his pistol a metre away.
Officers had cordoned off the scene while police in a helicopter hovered around the area in search of the fleeing suspects.
Officers recovered stolen cellphones in two plastic bags from the suspects’ car.
Pictured above: The crime scene.
Image source: Everson Luhanga
