Two alleged robbers were killed and four others were seriously wounded in a shootout with police following a robbery at a hypermarket in Epping on Sunday.
Wesley Twigg, the police spokesperson said they had responded to reports of a group of armed men robbing a supermarket. He said the suspects fled in two vehicles with a substantial amount of money.
“Upon exiting the business, the alleged suspects realised the presence of the police, they fired several shots at the police and fled in two vehicles. SAPS members returned fire while in pursuit resulting in the suspects losing control of the vehicle and colliding with a stationary vehicle,” Twigg said.
Two suspects were killed in the shootout and four others aged between 23 and 41 were seriously injured. Twigg said an unknown number of suspects are still at large.
The four injured suspects are in hospital under police guard.
“Two firearms were discovered in the vehicle. Meanwhile, a 32-year-old suspect was apprehended close to the business premises. Other suspects fled in the direction of Langa and their vehicle was later found abandoned. They are yet to be arrested with a manhunt by police currently underway. Cases of armed robbery and attempted murder have since been opened,” says Twigg.
Meanwhile, three men have been arrested in connection with the murder at Victoria Lodge informal settlement in Southfield in March. The suspects are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Twigg said the victims were all shot in the head and the suspects are facing charges of murder.
“The investigation was handed over to the Anti-Gang Unit detectives to pursue all avenues to bring the perpetrators of this gruesome murders to book. The detectives made a breakthrough in the case when they arrested three suspects aged 19, 29 and 42 in connection with the murders. The suspects are due to make a court appearance in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court to face charges against them,” Twigg said.
Source: Eyewitness News, IOL, SABC News, image from Twitter: SAPS