A fatal shootout between police and suspected extortionists occurred on Bosmansdam Road, Cape Town, on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of three suspects and the injury of four others.
Story Summary:
- Three suspected extortionists were killed in a shootout with police on Bosmansdam Road in Cape Town.
- Four suspects were injured and are currently under police guard while receiving medical treatment.
- The incident follows a similar shootout at a construction site in Sydenham last week.
Bosmansdam Road to be avoided after suspected extortionists killed in shootout
The incident unfolded after the SAPS Provincial Operational Command Centre’s Combat Team reacted to information that seven individuals in a minibus taxi were allegedly extorting money from shop owners in the Du Noon area.
As the suspects attempted to flee the scene, police pursued them along Bosmansdam Road.
According to police reports, the suspects opened fire on police vehicles, prompting officers to retaliate.
The chase ended at the intersection of Bosmansdam and Wylands Roads, where the minibus taxi was brought to a halt around 2:00 pm.
In the aftermath, police recovered an assault rifle, a 9mm pistol, an undisclosed amount of cash, and the minibus taxi.
The four injured suspects are currently receiving medical treatment under police guard, and their identities are yet to be confirmed. They will face charges in court once their medical treatment is completed.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the incident, and a death inquest has been opened to probe the circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries.
Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, recently emphasised the importance of reporting extortion, suggesting that not all incidents are being reported to authorities.
He stated that the newly established Extortion Task Team made up of experienced detectives and intelligence operatives, is dedicated to addressing extortion-related crimes and safeguarding communities.
Similar incident in Sydenham: Construction site shootout
The Bosmansdam Road shootout is not the first incident of its kind in recent days.
A similar event occurred in Sydenham, Durban, last week, where four suspected extortionists were injured during a shootout with security guards at a construction site.
The suspects, reportedly five men, arrived at a construction site on O’Flaherty Road, demanding money from the construction company owner.
As they harassed the workers, a security company was summoned to intervene, leading to an argument and eventual shootout.
Four of the suspected extortionists sustained gunshot wounds and were later arrested. Authorities seized four licensed firearms and two vehicles belonging to the suspects. These individuals, aged between 38 and 48, will appear in court once they are discharged from the hospital.
