Police recovered a hijacked motor vehicle and a rifle while responding to a robbery in progress in Temba on Wednesday morning.

Local police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said police responded to a shoot-out and robbery incident in the north of Pretoria at approximately 10:00.

He explained suspects attacked a delivery van and escort vehicle, firing multiple rounds before fleeing with cartons of cigarettes.

“The van was making a delivery at Manyeleti in Temba, while an escort vehicle was observing from a distance. It is reported that three suspects attacked the van and its escort,” Van Dyk added.

He said the officers chased after the suspects until Mashimong, where they opened fire at police.

Van Dyk said the suspects abandoned the vehicle, firearm and cigarettes, and fled the scene in another getaway vehicle.

“Police recovered a rifle with a filed-off serial number, two empty magazines, 24 cartons of cigarettes, 19 rifle casings, 13 pistol casings, three live rounds, and two sets of number plates,” he added.

Van Dyk said the investigation revealed the vehicle had been reported hijacked in the area in January.

He added that the firearm will be sent to a forensic laboratory for testing to determine if it has been used in the commission of other crimes.