Hijack gang’s deadly end: 3 shot dead, 2 injured in Pretoria shootout

Pretoria — Three suspects were shot dead and two others injured during a high-speed chase and shootout with police in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, on the night of 23 September, the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed on Wednesday.

According to SAPS spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, officers from the Highway Patrol Unit, working with private security companies, were acting on intelligence about a group linked to a spate of hijackings in the Pretoria area.

“The team was strategically placed to be on the lookout for the suspects’ vehicle, which was then spotted,” Nevhuhulwi said.

#sapsGP Three suspects have been fatally wounded and two injured, during a crossfire with the police on the night of 23/09, at Atteridgeville.

This comes after #SAPS Highway patrol with the assistance of private security companies, operationalised intelligence information about… pic.twitter.com/OuF9rTiVND

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 24, 2025

When officers tried to stop the vehicle, the suspects allegedly sped off, triggering a high-speed chase. A shootout ensued between the suspects and police.

Three suspects were fatally wounded at the scene, while two others were taken to hospital under police guard.

Police recovered three unlicensed firearms with ammunition, signal jammers, gloves, balaclavas and the suspects’ vehicle. An investigation into the incident is under way.