The Roodepoort shooting that sent ripples across the Gauteng community ended with three suspects linked to one of the most-feared hijacking syndicates in the region.
Roodepoort shooting: Police overpower hijackers
On Wednesday, the syndicate believed to be responsible for at least 23 hijackings was taken down by a collaborative intelligence operation led by South African police, Hawks members and private security firm Badboyz Security.
In a statement, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase revealed that the operation came into effect after a trend was noticed in the syndicate’s modus operandi.
Already, before the fiery encounter that rocked the quiet Roodepoort neighbourhood on Wednesday, authorities were well aware of the fact that they were in search for “hijacking suspects who are targeting VW Polo vehicles”
Right on cue, intelligence operatives who had pinned the location of the syndicate to a street in Roodepoort, pounced on a VW Polo that had been recently hijacked.
“The team discovered that the suspects were in motion and intercepted them on the side of the road immediately after allegedly hijacking a Polo. As the members approached the suspects, the suspects greeted them with a hail of bullets which led to an exchange of gunfire that resulted in three suspects fatally wounded,” Nkwalase said.
Aerial footage of the aftermath surfaced on social media, showing three dead bodies strewn around the suspects’ red VW Golf GTI.
SAPS & PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES NAIL HIJACKING SYNDICATE LINKED TO 23 HIJACKINGS: DISCOVERY. ROODEPOORT. COJ. GP. 3 PERPS WERE SHOT & KILLED & 2 ARRESTED. @SAPoliceService @GTP_Traffstats @TrafficRTMC @JoburgMPD @TMPDSafety @cci_network pic.twitter.com/HjFvYyBHpj
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) December 8, 2021
Two other suspects, aged between 25 and 30, surrendered to authorities and were placed under arrested. Shockingly, it was discovered that the owner of the hijacked VW Polo was inside the suspects’ vehicle when the shootout occurred.
Fortunately, the victim sustained minor injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“Three firearms with ammunition, cellphones and heavy duty gloves were recovered,” Nkwalase added.
The surviving suspects are due to appear in court for charges related to murder, attempted murder, carjacking, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition on Friday 10 December 2021.