Five Suspects Fatally Wounded In A Shootout With Law Enforcement

Five suspected “Bank Follow Robbers” were fatally wounded on the N14 Ventersdorp Highway and a female suspect arrested.

During an intelligence driven operation by the Hawks Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), with assistance from the Insurance Crime Bureau, Gauteng Traffic Saturation unit, Gauteng Traffic Chopper, Tracker Connect, ABSA Investigation and other industry partners, acted on intelligence to apprehend the suspects when the shoutout ensued.

It is alleged that intelligence driven information was received, that the suspects were committing robberies in or near Carletonville. The information was operationalised and the suspect vehicles were observed in Carletonville driving around various banks. As they left the area, the multi-disciplinary teams were mobilised to intercept and arrest the suspects and upon realising that they were being cornered, proceeded to open fire in a bid to escape.

In the ensuing shootout, Five of the suspects between 25 and 35 were fatally wounded and a female suspect was arrested. The suspects' vehicles have been positively linked to three other cases in Groblersdal, Secunda and Hercules.

Congratulations to our investigators, Law Enforcement Agencies and everyone involved in removing these criminals off our streets! This has once again proven the importance of Public Private Partnerships which has resulted in a breakthrough in addressing organised crime.

Source: Media Statement - Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks)