Fatal shootout in Pretoria claims three lives in confrontation with police. Image credit: Sharon Seretlo/ Gallo Images
(The Post News) – In Atteridgeville, Pretoria, on Tuesday night there was an intense gunfight with police. In this confrontation three suspects died, and two others got hurt. This violent incident happened following the police action against a group that is thought to be responsible for multiple aggressive crimes in the main city.
Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, who speaks for the South African Police Service (SAPS), said that officers from the Highway Patrol Unit used information about suspects preparing for another hijacking in Pretoria. The police collaborated tightly with private security firms and created roadblocks to catch these suspects. When policemen got close to their car, it is claimed that the suspects started shooting which led to a rapid pursuit and intense exchange of gunfire.
At the place of incident, three suspects got killed. Two other individuals have suffered from gunshot wounds and they were transported to hospital with police supervision. No harm came to any police officer during this exchange of fire.
Later, police stated that they found three guns without licenses, live bullets, devices for blocking signals, head coverings like balaclavas and gloves. They also recovered the car involved in the crime. It is thought these things were used in recent stealing of cars and robberies around Pretoria.
The Pretoria gunfight has put attention again on the increase of violent crime in Atteridgeville and surrounding places. Earlier this month, a different shooting incident happened in the township which took away a security officer’s life and caused injury to a woman inside her house. This is making residents more fearful about growing criminal actions.
Community Fear Grows Amid Pretoria Shootout Incidents
A resident shared that the community is very fearful, as they hear gunfire in their area almost every week. “We fear for our children. It seems like these criminals have no more fear of the police,” she mentioned.
SAPS Gauteng has made promises to keep breaking down the armed groups connected with hijackings, robberies and cash-in-transit heists. The authorities have asked residents to cooperate with law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activities to the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111.
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