POLICE have confirmed that a pedestrian was hit and killed by a speeding BMW during a police chase and shootout in Isando on Thursday evening.
This brings the number of people killed during the shootout to two.
The incident took place just off Barbara Road towards Croydon, said Sebenza SAPS Vispol head, Capt Sinotsi Ndaba.
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“Our Crime Intelligence Unit was notified of a black BMW with four suspicious-looking men driving around the airport. Police in an unmarked vehicle tracked the vehicle down to the highway. When the suspects noticed they were being followed, they tried escaping by taking the Barbara Road off-ramp,” said Ndaba.
This was when they ran over the pedestrian. The victim died on the scene.
“The suspects started shooting at police and police returned fire. One suspect opened the door and fled and the other three suspects continued towards Croydon,” he said.
On seeing his accomplices had been shot, the driver of the BMW stopped the vehicle on the corner of Serena and Isando roads, jumped out and ran into traffic, managing to escape, Ndaba said.
Two suspects were found in the vehicle. One had suffered fatal injuries and died on the scene, while the other was seriously wounded.
Three unlicensed firearms were also recovered.
It was later discovered that the BMW had been hijacked in Jeppestown, Johannesburg, last week.
Ndaba said the suspects were part of a major syndicate being investigated by police.
“It’s a big syndicate operating all over Johannesburg. Suspects follow foreigners to their hotels and rob them of their foreign currency and other items,” said Ndaba.
He said no stolen items were recovered in the stolen vehicle.
Cases of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of a hijacked motor vehicle have been opened.
Two suspects are still at large.
