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Two Suspects Killed in Pretoria Police Van Collision, Case Opened for Culpable Homicide

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Picture: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL

Gauteng police have launched a culpable homicide investigation after a marked SAPS van collided with a private vehicle in Sunnyside, Pretoria, resulting in the deaths of two suspects in custody.

The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, according to Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, the Gauteng provincial police spokesperson.

The police van was transporting three suspects arrested for motor vehicle theft when it collided with a Hyundai Atos. Five police officers inside the vehicle sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment.

“Two suspects died on the scene, while the third was transported to a medical care centre for treatment,” said Masondo.

The driver of the private vehicle emerged unscathed from the crash.

The suspects had been arrested earlier after police found them in possession of car jammers and multiple sets of vehicle registration plates, Masondo revealed.

This incident follows a similar case earlier this month when Gauteng police apprehended three men suspected of being involved in a series of car hijackings around Pretoria.

On January 14, a collaborative operation by the SAPS Highway Patrol Unit, Tracker Connect, CAP Specialised Operations, and the Insurance Crime Bureau led to the arrest of three suspects in Pretoria Central.

The operation uncovered a hijacked Volkswagen Golf GTI, a firearm, and ammunition. Investigators determined that the vehicle was hijacked in Hillbrow and fitted with false registration plates.

Authorities believe the suspects may have ties to a local security company in Pretoria and are probing their involvement in broader criminal activities.

The Sunnyside collision has raised questions about the safety measures in place when transporting suspects and the ongoing efforts to address vehicle-related crimes in Gauteng

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