Joburg hijacking ends in shootout one suspect killed, five arrested and victim rescued

What happened

According to The Citizen, the incident began with the hijacking of a white Isuzu bakkie in Germiston, during which the driver was kidnapped and forced to accompany the suspects. Members of the Gauteng Tactical Response Team (TRT), working with Crime Intelligence and other law enforcement agencies, carried out an intelligence-driven interception at the N12 and Xavier Road in Winchester Hills on Thursday.

Shootout and arrests

Police identified additional vehicles they believed had been used by the suspects as convoy vehicles during the interception, The Citizen reported. Two suspects fled into nearby bushes and opened fire on police, prompting return fire. One suspect was fatally wounded at the scene and five others were handcuffed and arrested, while the kidnapped driver was rescued unharmed, police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said.

“During the interception, police identified additional vehicles believed to have been used by the suspects as convoy vehicles. Two suspects fled into nearby bushes and opened fire on police, resulting in a shootout. One suspect was fatally wounded at the scene. The victim was rescued unharmed,” Sibeko said.

Items recovered and charges

Police recovered an unlicensed firearm with ammunition and seized the hijacked Isuzu bakkie. In addition, three vehicles a Mitsubishi SUV, a VW Polo and a Volvo allegedly used by the suspects were also seized, Captain Sibeko said.

According to The Citizen, cases of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, possession of a hijacked motor vehicle, carjacking, and kidnapping have been opened.

Police response

The Citizen reported that the management of the SA Police Service (Saps) in Gauteng commended the multidisciplinary team for its swift, coordinated and decisive response, which led to the arrest of suspects, recovery of the hijacked vehicle and the safe rescue of the victim.