Confiscated firearm and ammunition evidence. Image: SAPS shared via X @SAPS.
(The Post News)– The Mamelodi shootout left three suspects dead after police confronted them at a house in Pretoria. Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks acted on intelligence that the suspects were in possession of illegal firearms.
Suspects Open Fire, Police Respond
According to Hawks spokesperson Chris Singo, the suspects opened fire when officers arrived, prompting police retaliation. As a result, police fatally shot three suspects, while another suspect managed to escape.
During the shootout, officers seized one rifle and two pistols, which investigators believe may have been used in other crimes. Forensic teams have already begun tracing the weapons’ origins to establish possible links with criminal networks. Meanwhile, police launched a manhunt for the escaped suspect and appealed to the public to provide information that could assist in his capture.
Police Seize Weapons
The shootout reflects a much larger problem facing Gauteng and other provinces. Recent crime statistics reveal that Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape account for most of the murders nationally. Communities in Mamelodi and surrounding areas continue to raise concerns about rampant gun violence, urging police to intensify operations against heavily armed gangs who terrorize neighborhoods.
Police vowed to sustain their efforts despite the risks highlighted by the Mamelodi shootout. The Hawks confirmed they would not only pursue the suspect who escaped but also investigate possible ties between the group and broader crime syndicates. Authorities further emphasized the need for communities to curb South Africa’s persistently high murder rate.
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