Hennopspark shootout suspects to be charged with attempted murder

Two men will be charged with attempted murder for their alleged part in a shootout with police in Jakaranda Street in Hennopspark, Centurion yesterday morning, Pretoria Rekord reports.

Two suspects were fatally shot in the incident just after 09:00 while two police officers were injured and had to be airlifted to hospital.

The arrested suspects were believed to be behind a series of hijackings in Gauteng, according to police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters.

Peters said the members of the Gauteng Specific Crime Trio Team had been following and observing the suspects when they spotted them in Centurion driving a black BMW 135i.

“Police intercepted the suspects’ vehicle and they allegedly started firing shots at the police, who then returned fire.

“Two suspects were killed while the other two were taken to hospital under police guard,” said Peters.

She added that police on the crime scene seized two rifles and a pistol.

The suspects’ vehicle has since been confirmed as having been hijacked in Honeydew, Johannesburg in July this year.

“The suspects will also be charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and possession of a hijacked vehicle,” Peters said.

“More charges may be added pending further investigation.”

Eyewitness Phillip Minnaar said that “it all happened very quickly”.

“I was standing at the circle on the corner of Jakaranda Street and Edison Crescent. The next moment the police were there with their vehicles blocking the road. The suspects stormed out of a small complex, firing at the police.

“I moved around the corner and told my workers to stay inside the store.”

Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela commended the investigating team involved.

He also wished the injured officers a speedy recovery.