Six suspects linked to heist robberies were gunned down in the weekend during a shoot-out with police in Gauteng.
This after police declared war against ”trigger happy” thugs in Germiston, Ekurhuleni, an event that restored hope for citizens against crime.
Gauteng Provincial SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that six suspects were fatally wounded in a shoot-out with police in a cross pavement robbery in Germiston on Saturday.
Masondo said police received information regarding a cross pavement that was going to take place in the Germiston CBD.
“Members of an integrated multi-disciplinary team, including members attached to Hawks' Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), SAPS Multi-Dimensional Organised Crime (MDOC) Crime Intelligence (CI) Cash-In-Transit (CIT) team, SAPS Gauteng Tactical Response Team (TRT), SAPS Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Tracking Team 2, Gauteng traffic police Air wing, SAPS Gauteng anti gang unit, DPC Crime Detection HO, CAP Specialised Operations and Tracker Connect were deployed.
“As the members approached the area a lookout was received for an armed robbery at the Top Bets where G4S was robbed and lookout was for an IX 35. Members started looking for suspects vehicle and spotted it driving recklessly. Members attempted to stop the suspects and they immediately started shooting at the members. Members returned fire and suspects vehicle lost control thus crashing into a pole,” said Masondo.
He said six suspects were fatally wounded and another suspect is in a serious condition.
“An AK 47 rifle, four handguns and the cash trolley have been recovered. The vehicle that the suspects were using has been identified as stolen in Brooklyn,” Masondo said.
“I am happy that police are standing up against criminals who terrorise communities. As citizens we are victims of all kinds of crimes by senseless criminals. Police are making me proud,” said Steven Mokoena, a resident of Lambton.
Meanwhile on Friday, suspected kidnappers linked to a string of cases were shot dead on the R59 highway in Alberton, Ekurhuleni, after a shoot-out with authorities. Gauteng police seized a firearm. Motorists had to sit in the traffic for a number of hours.
The Star