A suspected hijacker was shot and killed during an attempted hijacking at the entrance to Leandra on Friday morning (April 10).

The police later arrested another three men in connection with the foiled hijacking.

According to Colonel Mavela Masondo, spokesperson for the police in Mpumalanga, the driver (37) of a Ford Ranger was heading to Leandra on the R29 from Kinross when a Mercedes Benz SUV approached with flashing lights and hazards, trying to stop him.

The motorist drove on to a spot he deemed safer, about 2km from Leandra, and pulled off the road.

The driver of the Mercedes approached motorist from on the driver’s side while two others, both with firearms, climbed into the passenger and rear seat respectively.

“The complainant allegedly shot at the hijackers, who then fled on foot into the nearby bushes.

“They returned fired as they were running to the bushes,” said Masondo in a statement to the media today.

When the police traced the culprits’ steps, they found the body of a man who was confirmed to be one of the suspects.

“The continued search and investigation led the police to Leandra’s residential area where three other suspects, aged 36, 40 and 50, were found and arrested.”

Masondo said the trio were charged with attempted car hijacking and attempted murder.

They appeared before Leandra Magistrate’s Court today and the matter was postponed to April 24.

Investigation is underway to establish if the suspects are not linked to other crimes, including car hijacking.