Five of the seven suspects arrested earlier this week after a shoot-out in Tasbet Park, eMalahleni, appeared in court yesterday afternoon.

Two of the suspects are still in hospital after being wounded during the shooting on Wednesday.

The case was postponed to next Friday for a formal bail application. The suspects remain in custody.

“The suspects face charges of murder, attempted murder, and possession of prohibited and unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as with CIT-related [cash-in-transit] offences,” says Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo from the office of the provincial commissioner in Gauteng.

After receiving information about the attempted heist, police from various units and private security officers followed the suspects to a safe house at Tasbet Park.

“While approaching the house, the suspects who were already dispersing, driving in a Toyota Quantum, saw the police and started shooting. The police and private security officers retaliated,” explains Masondo.

During the shoot-out, five suspects were shot dead.

Five rifles, two pistols, and four vehicles were recovered.