Update: 6.05 pm
It has emerged that the gridlocked N1 near Rivonia Road offramp was due to a police operation. In a statement, provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Mathapelo Peters, confirmed that three police officers who were suspected of being part of a foiled robbery had been arrested.
Peters said, “A joint intelligence-driven operation has led to the successful apprehension of eight suspects prior to the commission of the crime, following the foiled robbery of a cellphone store at the Fourways Mall in the north of Johannesburg.
“On 28 September 2017, security officers at the said mall spotted and apprehended one suspect. Members of the Gauteng Provincial Trio Task Team then followed the other suspects who were driving in three vehicles, a BMW, Hyundai and a Polo,” said Peters.
She said four suspects were arrested after the police stopped and searched their vehicles on the N1 and recovered unlicensed firearms.
Of the three police officers, Peters said, “Police are investigating the circumstances around the three’s proximity to the incident.”
“While the arrest of our own is a slap in the face of the Police Service, it is at the same time commendable that they were arrested by courageous officers who are committed to fighting crime, even if that means putting behind bars our own members,” said the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner in welcoming the arrest.
Zoé van Onselen, Head of Marketing for Fourways Mall said management is aware of the incident. “Our appointed security company, Fidelity Security, are currently cooperating with the police in an ongoing investigation of the attempted robbery within the mall, and subsequent events,” said van Onselen.
“Our shoppers’ safety is a top priority, and we continue to work together with the relevant police departments to ensure this,” she said.
Original report 1.45 pm:
A crime scene is causing traffic delays on the N1 northbound near the Rivonia Road offramp.
#JHBTraffic Congestion: N1 northbound between Grosvenor Rd and Rivonia Rd, ave speed 10km/h (34min delays)
— Netstar Traffic (@netstartraffic) September 28, 2017
Details of the crime incident are unknown at present but police are on the scene. A police spokesperson is on his way to the scene and Sandton Chronicle will update as more information comes to light.
Anneke Olivier passed by the scene and said she saw three perpetrators lying on the ground handcuffed.
Olivier took these photos of the scene:
Others took to Twitter to share images from the incident. Brian Banks tweeted that he thought a shooting incident had taken place.
What's happening on the freeway, Rivonia interchange! Something is going down, Guns blazing…@Radio702 pic.twitter.com/3Bv1ffuKWX
— Outside Royal (@Pam_TK) September 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/milklogic/status/913335489020792832
Captain Kay Makhubela, provincial spokesperson for the police was unable to provide details and said, “Police are still on the scene and an official statement will follow.”
More details to follow as information comes to light.
