A Zimbabwean armed robber was fatally shot, and his two accomplices were injured following a shootout with South African security agents on Wednesday, after the trio committed a robbery in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng province. The incident occurred after the suspects were cornered while attempting to count their stolen goods in a rented room.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the robbery unfolded in the early hours of November 6, 2024, when police received a tip-off about a heist underway at a local filling station in Nhlazatshe Crossings. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered that the suspects had made off with cash, cigarettes, and betting vouchers.
Following the robbery, police, in collaboration with a private security company, tracked the suspects to a rented property where they were reportedly found counting the stolen cash. SAPS spokesperson Captain Magonseni Nkosi explained that when the officers moved in to apprehend the suspects, the trio opened fire from within the room, forcing the police to retaliate.
“The suspects fired shots as the officers moved in. In response, the police returned fire,” said Nkosi. “One of the suspects died from gunshot wounds, while the two others were wounded and are currently receiving medical treatment under police guard.”
An undisclosed amount of cash and a firearm were recovered at the scene. The identities of the deceased and injured suspects are still under investigation.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been called in to review the circumstances surrounding the shooting, ensuring transparency in the handling of the case, as SAPS officers were involved in the incident.
The surviving suspects are expected to appear before the Elukwatini Magistrates Court once they have recovered from their injuries. The investigation into the robbery and subsequent shooting is ongoing.
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