Johannesburg - A police constable and three suspected robbers were killed in an early morning shoot-out on the N4 route between Mpumalanga and Gauteng on Wednesday.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said the shoot-out between police and the suspects happened just after the Diamond Toll Plaza on the N4.
Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said that the members of the Silverton Flying Squad had spotted a suspicious looking vehicle around 1.45am.
“When the police approached the vehicle which had five occupants, they were greeted with a hail of bullets, which left Constable Max Lekalakala, 32, fatally wounded.”
Mulaudzi said police retaliated by opening fire, killing two of the suspects.
“Another suspect was certified dead upon arrival at the hospital,” said Mulaudzi.
He said that two more suspects were arrested, with one of them critically wounded and under police guard in hospital.
Three unlicensed firearms with ammunition, seven cellphones and an iPad were found in the possession of suspects.
One suspect is expected to appear before the Bronkhortspruit Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges of murder, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The Hawks are continuing with their investigations.
African News Agency
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