VIDEO: Manhunt launched after Kassier Road shootout

A SHOOTOUT ensued along Kassier Road this morning when security forces attempted to pull over a gang of armed men in a stolen minibus taxi.

Blue Security’s tactical ambassador for the Highway area, Russell Lawson, said he was on routine patrol in Hillcrest when a minibus taxi, that was stolen during a business robbery this morning, was spotted.

“Following from a distance, it was observed that there were six occupants inside the vehicle. The unit immediately called for backup from SAPS and a tracking company,” said Lawson. 

“When an attempt was made to pull the vehicle over to the side of Kassier Road, the driver disregarded the order, accelerated and headed in the direction of the Shongweni Farmers Market,” he said. 

The gang in the minibus opened fire on the armed tactical members, who returned fire.

“The minibus driver lost control of the vehicle during the high-speed chase and crashed down an embankment into dense bush. The armed suspects continued to shoot at the officers,” he said.

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Backup arrived minutes later, but the suspects had already escaped into the dense sugarcane fields. 

SAPS, Metro and K9 units began a manhunt.

Another security company launched a drone to conduct an aerial search.

“It was hoped it would flush out the suspects, who were believed to be hiding out in the cane fields,” he said. 

The six men evaded arrest and no injuries or fatalities were reported during the incident.

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