Five suspected robbers were killed in a shoot-out with police in Mpumalanga, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said on Monday.
Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale said the shoot-out happened in the early hours of Monday morning.
Mogale said the team was following up on information received regarding ATM bombings that were to transpire in the Witbank area.
"Information was operationalised leading the team to Schoongezicht in Emalahleni where the group reportedly converged at an alleged safe house."
Mogale said the teams were asked to be on the lookout for a white Toyota Hilux.
"The identified vehicle was spotted driving out from the area and when the team attempted to stop the vehicle, suspects opened fire and a shootout ensued."
Five suspects were fatally wounded and one injured.
"A R5 rifle, a hunting rifle with a scope, and three 9mm pistols as well as explosives were recovered on the scene."
The bakkie in which the suspects were traveling in was seized by the Hawks for further investigation.
The National Head of the DPCI, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya commended the work of the teams.
“A call is made to potential robbers to withdraw from such activities as these behaviours always attract dire consequences. The team shall always be on alert."
On Sunday, IOL reported that two alleged robbers were shot dead after they tried to rob an armed hitchhiker in Middleburg, Mpumalanga.
The five men gave the hitchhiker a lift in a Hyundai Tucson just before midnight on Saturday.
Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said the men, armed with a knife, refused to drop off the hitchhiker at his destination.
"Instead, [they] held him hostage and robbed him of his cell phone and other personal belongings. One of the men is said to have robbed the victim of his bank card and demanded the PIN from the victim," said Mdhluli.
Mdhuli said the men drove to the nearest ATM and one of them got out of the car to withdraw the money while four remained in the car with the hitchhiker.
"The hitchhiker is said to have pulled out a firearm then fatally shot the driver and a passenger. The other suspects then ran for their lives.
"The hitchhiker immediately went to the nearby filling station to request for assistance and police were summoned whilst the security officers attended the matter," said Mdhluli.
Mdhluli said when police arrived, they found two lifeless bodies and arrested one suspect after he returned to the scene.
IOL