Elite crime busters – the Hawks – on Thursday said three hijackers were shot dead during an exchange of gunfire with law enforcers who rescued a hijack victim and recovered his car.
Two other suspects were arrested Wednesday after their accomplices were shot dead.
An intelligence-driven operation involving the Hawks, Tracker Connect, Gauteng Crime Intelligence, and police highway patrol had been searching for the hijackers known to be targeting VW Polo vehicles.
The GTP Saturation Unit, ICB Insurance Crime Bureau, and Badboyz Security in Roodepoort were also part of the team.
Recounting events leading to the shootout, Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase said the team intercepted the suspects on the side of the road soon after a VW Polo was hijacked.
“They tried to arrest them but the suspects greeted them with a hail of bullets which led to an exchange of gunfire that resulted in three suspects fatally wounded,” said Lieutenant Colonel Nkwalase.
“Two suspects aged between 25 and 30 were arrested and the injured owner of the Polo who was held in the vehicle was rescued.
“He was taken to hospital for medical attention. Three firearms with ammunition, cellphones and heavy-duty gloves were recovered.”
The suspects will be charged with murder, attempted murder, carjacking, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The arrested pair will appear in Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 10 December 2021.
Lieutenant Colonel Nkwalase said preliminary investigation revealed suspects are also linked to more than 18 hijacking cases committed in the Gauteng areas.
“The syndicate members were reportedly using a Golf GTi during the commission of crime whilst in previous occasions, they have been using a Toyota Corolla,” said Lieutenant Colonel Nkwalase.
