Two suspected robbers were shot dead in a dramatic shootout with police in Sebokeng on Monday afternoon, after allegedly opening fire on officers and attempting to flee in a stolen vehicle.
According to Gauteng police, members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) were patrolling along Houtkop Road on April 13 when they identified a vehicle suspected to have been hijacked and fitted with false registration plates. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle using sirens, the driver sped off, triggering a high-speed chase.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the situation quickly escalated when the suspects began shooting at officers.
“The members attempted to stop the vehicle, but it sped off and shots were fired at police, leading to a high-speed chase with a shootout,” she said.
She added that the pursuit ended when the suspects lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn.
“The suspects' vehicle capsized and one of the suspects tried to flee but collapsed a few meters away from the vehicle. Both suspects were later declared dead by paramedics,” she said.
Authorities recovered an unlicensed firearm and explosives from inside the vehicle, which has since been linked to a car theft case reported in Carletonville in January this year.
Nevhuhulwi confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with police working to determine the origin of the explosives and whether the suspects were linked to other criminal activities.
The Star
