Facebook Marketplace Robbery Suspects Injured in Shootout, SA Says SAPS Needs to Learn From KZN Cops
- A group of armed men engaged in a shootout with police after their plans to rob a man were foiled by officers
- Five men, who lured victims on Facebook Marketplace, were injured in a shootout with Midrand officers
- South Africans weighed in on the story, with many joking that officers needed to learn from the KwaZulu-Natal police
Source: Twitter
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – Five robbery suspects, who targeted victims online, have been injured in a shootout with police.
The men, who found their victims over Facebook’s Marketplace, were involved in a shootout with police in Midrand, Johannesburg, on 25 August 2025. The men received medical care on scene before they were taken into custody.
The suspects are from Tembisa and Soweto, and police also recovered firearms from them.
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How did the men target their victims?
According to police, seven suspects lured victims by pretending to be selling a car on Facebook Marketplace. They had previously shot and robbed one man in the same area of Midrand. The man was allegedly kidnapped and forced to withdraw large sums of money from his bank accounts.
The suspects then advertised the same car again, attempting to rob another victim. A Facebook user, who was friends with the first victim, answered the advert and then alerted the authorities. Deputy Gauteng Police Commissioner, Major General Fred Kekana, explained that police then showed up at the area where the bogus sale was due to take place.
“They went there thinking that they were going to rob this victim, not knowing that the vehicle they were approaching was the police. Only upon arrival did they start shooting at the police, and officers had to defend themselves,” Kekana explained.
Were any police officers injured?
Kekana also confirmed that one police officer was injured during the shootout. The officer was shot in the leg and was rushed to the hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
He also noted that while five suspects were injured and apprehended, two managed to flee the area. One of the two escapees is believed to have been wounded in the shootout.
Source: Twitter
How did South Africans react?
Social media users, while grateful that the men were apprehended, also joked that the police in Gauteng needed to take tips from Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in KwaZulu-Natal on how to deal with criminals.
Nieberle Naomi Charmaine asked:
“Only injured? Shooting skills need to be upgraded.”
Sanele Xulu questioned:
“Why only injured? Johannesburg police are weak, yer.”
Themba X Mncube also asked:
“Injured? They were supposed to meet their maker.”
Mfanafuthii Mfanafuthi stated:
“Shooting range training is required in Gauteng. If it were General Mkhwanazi’s side, we would be hearing a different story.”
Junius Masikela Monaisa said:
“Mr Mkhwanazi, please come and show them how it is done.”
Khathutshelo Nengwenani added:
“Midrand police must go to KZN for shooting training.”
Benji Hanson stated:
“In KZN, they would be ancestors by now.”
4 suspects killed in Riverlea shootout
In another incident in Gauteng, four suspects were killed after they were engaged in a shootout with Johannesburg police.
Briefly News reported that the shootout happened hours after the men allegedly committed a crime in the heart of the central business district.
South Africans commented on the incident, with many joking that KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi inspired them.
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Source: Briefly News
