JOHANNESBURG: In a dramatic and intense encounter, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has reported that 18 suspects were killed during a fierce shootout with law enforcement officers in Makhado, located within South Africa’s Limpopo province.
The confrontation took place when police approached a specific address, and the group of suspects on the scene immediately opened fire. In response, police officers engaged the suspects in a deadly exchange of gunfire, resulting in the tragic loss of lives. The casualties included 16 males and 2 females, all of whom were pronounced dead at the scene.
During the intense encounter, a police officer sustained severe injuries and is currently in critical condition, as confirmed by National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola in an interview with the national broadcaster SABC.
The extended gunfight occurred in a rural area of South Africa, situated approximately 400 kilometers (248 miles) north of the nation’s capital, Pretoria, and persisted for nearly an hour and a half.
South Africa Police Seize Explosives
According to Commissioner Masemola, the police operation was executed based on intelligence that led officers to a “safe house” that was allegedly used by the suspects for planning a cash heist. As the police approached the residence with the intention of making arrests, the suspects reportedly initiated gunfire towards the officers, sparking the deadly clash.
Meanwhile, authorities have seized a huge quantity of explosives and assault rifles as part of their investigation.
In addition to the fatalities, police have taken four suspects into custody in connection with the incident, and it is reported that they utilized a separate safe house in the nearby town of Thohoyandou.
While police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe did not immediately provide further details, local media outlets have suggested that the 18 individuals who lost their lives were part of a criminal gang believed to be involved in the robbery of armored vans transporting cash for financial institutions.
Senior officials from the police force are en route to the crime scene in Makhado, located within South Africa’s northernmost province, to assess the situation and gather additional information, as stated in a release by the elite police unit, the Hawks.
