By Everson Luhanga
Two armed robbery suspects were fatally wounded and one was injured during a shootout with police in Olifantsfontein, Ekurhuleni on Monday.
The dramatic scenes unfolded on the M57 near Oakmoor, near Olifantsfontein.
Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said the police Crime Intelligence had received information about armed robbery and hijacking suspects that were going to commit a robbery in Ekurhuleni.
“A team of law enforcement agencies, consisting of SAPS Ekurhuleni Central Crime Intelligence, SAPS Highway Patrol Unit, Gauteng Traffic Police Saturation Unit, Tracker Connect, and Bad Boyz Security operationalised the information and kept a close observation,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Masondo.
He said the team spotted three suspects driving in a GWM SUV and intercepted them.
“The suspects fired shots at the team and a shootout ensued.
“The suspects’ vehicle collided with a fence and two suspects were fatally wounded while the third suspect sustained injuries.”
He said no member of the law enforcement agencies was injured.
At the scene, three unlicensed firearms were recovered alongside a vehicle that is reported to have been hijacked in Sandringham, Johannesburg earlier this month and fitted with a false registration number.
Hoodies suspected to belong to the suspects were left on the ground with firearms. Two bodies with bullet wounds were on the ground.
Not long after the shootout, an ambulance arrived to take the injured suspect to hospital for medical attention.
The suspect will be charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of a hijacked vehicle, and attempted murder, amongst other crimes.
The suspects will also be profiled to establish if they are linked to other crimes.
Pictured above: The stolen vehicle after it was crashed by hijackers
Image source: Everson Luhanga
