Five robbery suspects have been injured during a shootout with the police in Midrand on Monday.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Gauteng Deputy Commissioner Fred Kekana, said early this month, a victim saw a car advertised on Facebook marketplace and contacted the seller with plans of buying the vehicle.
Kekana said after arranging a meeting, the victim was kidnapped, and he was shot on his legs before the suspects emptied his bank account
Later, a second victim saw the same car advertised on Facebook. When he contacted the seller, he became uncomfortable with the proposed meeting location and alerted the police.
Kekana said police followed the lead and discovered that the suspects were linked to the first victim.
“A tactical team was assembled, and they accompanied the potential victim to meet the suspects. When the suspects noticed that the man was accompanied by police, they started shooting. The police shot back in retaliation,” he said.
He added that the suspects tried to speed off, but police shot at the tyres, causing their car to roll and injure them.
Kekana confirmed that the suspects were rushed to hospital, and two firearms were recovered.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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