Police Shootout in Gauteng Leaves 3 Suspects Dead and 2 in Custody, Court Date to Follow

• A shootout between an integrated police team and five hijackers has left three dead and two in police custody
• The two surviving suspects will face multiple criminal charges and will appear in court tomorrow
• The victim of the hijacking was found in the vehicle with injuries and is receiving medical attention in hospital

JOHANNESBURG - Yesterday (8 December), there was a shootout between five hijackers and an integrated police team.

The police team was headed by members of the Hawks' Tactical Operation Management and the team was searching for hijackers known for going after Volkswagen Polos.

The search was aided by Tracker Connect, SAPS Highway Patrol, ICB Insurance Crime Bureau, Badboyz Security in Roodepoort and Gauteng Crime Intelligence.

Details of the incident

The South African Police Service reported that the integrated police team found the suspects while they were driving a hijacked VW Polo and intercepted them. The suspects started firing shots at the police team members while they were approaching.

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Police team members and the suspects proceeded to shoot at one another, which caused three of the five suspects to die due to fatal bullet wounds. The two surviving suspects, who are between the ages of 25 and 30, were arrested at the scene.

In a statement sent to Briefly News by Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase, it was reported that the owner of the hijacked VW Polo was discovered inside the vehicle. He had sustained injuries during the incident and was taken to a local hospital to receive treatment.

The police found cellphones, loaded firearms and heavy-duty gloves in the car. The suspects, who will face charges of carjacking, attempted murder, murder and possession of unlicensed firearms, are scheduled to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on 10 December 2021, the SAPS reports.

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Reactions to the shootout

Xolile Sombalo said:

"Speedy recovery to the injured victim and thank God he was not killed during the exchange of bullets."

Nozipho Florah Bidi shared:

"Well done officers. We are really tired of these criminals."

Vusi Muzi said:

"The hijacking victim must be really traumatised, imagine all this right in front of your eyes."

Thubelihle Chance Ngwenya asked:

"Where's the treason charge for opening fire towards a uniformed law enforcer?"

Bossie Bossert shared:

"Strongs to the victim.Well done on the task."

Man gets hijacked at his front gate, SA horrified

Previously, Briefly News reported that a video of one local man being hijacked at his own front gate has left SA in serious shock. The violent incident has left many peeps concerned about the ever-growing rate of crime in SA.

Heading online, social cohesion advocate @Abramjee shared the distressing clip. According to his reports, the incident took place near Kempton Park.

In the video, a man can be seen fiddling with his gate before three men approach. He desperately tries to get the gate closed before being kicked to the ground as his keys are taken.

Source: Briefly News