Gauteng police thwart armed robbery: Three suspects die in dramatic shootout
Three suspected armed robbers were fatally wounded following a shootout with police on the N12 highway in Gauteng on Wednesday.
According to the South African Police Service in Gauteng, the incident unfolded after police operationalised intelligence about suspects who had allegedly just robbed a courier vehicle in Tokoza.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the suspects, who were travelling in a silver Toyota Corolla, were spotted on Kliprivier Road as they joined the N12 towards Soweto. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspects allegedly sped off, leading to a high-speed chase and a shootout.
The vehicle eventually came to a standstill on the N12 between the Xavier and Soweto off-ramps. Three suspects were declared dead at the scene, while a fourth suspect sustained injuries.
Police recovered two firearms and some of the suspected stolen stock from the scene.
Gauteng provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, commended the multidisciplinary team involved in the operation, which included members from the National Counter-Intelligence, the Gauteng Tactical Response Team, the Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, as well as private security companies.
He praised the collaborative effort, saying it continued to ensure that criminals were brought to justice.
The SAPS in Gauteng said investigations into the incident were ongoing.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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