Johannesburg – Five suspects were fatally wounded in a shootout with police on Wednesday, 24 July, during a high-speed chase on the M1/M2 highway split near Crown Mines, Gauteng police have confirmed.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the incident unfolded after officers acted on intelligence about a group allegedly planning a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist in Johannesburg.
“It reported that the police operationalised intelligence information on suspects planning to commit a cash in transit in Johannesburg. Their vehicle was spotted on the M1/M2 highway split and they sped off when they noticed the police,” Nevhuhulwi said.
“As a chase ensued, the suspects started shooting at the police who retaliated. The suspects’ vehicle crashed into a palisade fence. All five occupants were fatally shot.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the same vehicle was involved in a murder and cash in transit robbery that occurred on 14 July 2025 at Kingsley in KwaZulu-Natal. An AK-47, a pistol and explosives were found inside the vehicle.”
The operation involved members of National Counter Intelligence, Tactical Response Teams from both Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Gauteng Traffic Police, and private security firms.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni commended the swift and coordinated efforts of the multi-disciplinary team.
“This collaborative efforts are yielding success and should send a strong message to criminals that police will not repose and will continue to deal decisively with criminal issues”, said Mthombeni.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
