VEREENIGING – Three suspects are expected to appear before a local magistrate’s court facing multiple charges, including six counts of murder, 18 counts of attempted murder, carjacking, and possession of a hijacked vehicle.

The suspects were arrested by a multi-disciplinary law enforcement team at Valley Settlement in Kliprivier following a mass shooting incident on the R59 that claimed the lives of six people and left 18 others injured.

According to police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, a taxi was travelling from Johannesburg to the Free State when it was allegedly rammed by a Nissan Juke carrying three suspects.

“The suspects opened fire on the taxi, causing it to overturn,” Sibeko said. “The Nissan Juke, which was reported stolen in Witbank in September 2025, also lost control during the incident. Six passengers were fatally wounded, while 18 others sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment.”

Sibeko added that the suspects later hijacked another vehicle on Johan Le Roux Road in an attempt to flee the scene.

Sibeko said that through a joint operation involving the K9 unit, Public Order Policing, Kliprivier Vispol, the Midvaal Traffic Department, Midvaal peace officers, and private security, the suspects were tracked and arrested.

Sibeko confirms that investigations into the matter are ongoing.