Four suspects were fatally shot in a confrontation with police on the outskirts of Randfontein, west of Johannesburg, on Wednesday morning. The shootout followed an intelligence-led operation targeting a group allegedly planning a business robbery.
Intelligence-Led Operation
According to South African Police Service (SAPS) officials, the suspects were intercepted based on intelligence from the Eastern Cape, indicating they intended to ambush a businessperson en route to a bank.
“When police attempted to stop the suspects, they opened fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire,” said Major General Fred Kekana, who briefed media at the scene. “The suspects were heavily armed with rifles and pistols, and police had no choice but to defend themselves.”
Recovered Evidence
Authorities confirmed that the suspects’ vehicle had false license plates, with the real plates found in the boot. Police also recovered multiple firearms, including rifles with loaded magazines, and noted the presence of muti (traditional medicine) inside the car, believed to have been used by the suspects for protection.
Crime Prevention Success
The deputy commissioner emphasized that the operation prevented a potentially violent robbery, praising collaboration between SAPS units, including Crime Intelligence, the Tactical Response Team (TRT), and private security partners.
This incident follows another deadly shootout days earlier in Krugersdorp, where three suspects were killed during a cash-in-transit heist attempt. Authorities have attributed recent successes to improved intelligence-sharing and rapid response strategies.
Ongoing Investigations
While no police officers were injured, forensic teams are processing the scene to determine if the suspects were linked to broader criminal syndicates. SAPS reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against armed criminals, warning that resistance during arrests would be met with force.