Shootout on Rivonia Road
RIVONIA - Police are investigating a case of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms following a shootout on Rivonia Road, Sandton.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said at about 1pm on 22 April, a police officer spotted a vehicle suspected to have been involved in an armed robbery incident earlier.
He said, “When he tried to stop the vehicle it sped off and collided with several vehicles until the driver lost control. One of the suspects fired shots at the police while three others jumped out and ran away. A shootout ensued and one suspect was fatally wounded, two others were shot and wounded. One suspect was arrested without any injury. A police officer was also wounded during the shootout.”
He said the police officer was shot in the abdomen and had been taken to the Sunninghill Clinic and was in a stable condition.
Dlamini said an inquest docket had been opened regarding the fatal shooting. He said the three other suspects would be charged with attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms as well as possession of suspected stolen property.
Dlamini added that the suspects have been linked to an armed robbery incident earlier today in which an employee was robbed of jewellery, three cellphones and money.
He said the suspects were commuting in a Chevrolet Lumina suspected to be the same vehicle that was recovered at the shootout scene on Rivonia Road. “Only one cellphone stolen during the robbery was recovered in the suspects’ possession during the arrest,” said Dlamini.
“Police are also investigating a possibility that the suspects have been involved in a spate of robberies around Sandton area.”
22 April, 3pm:
A suspect has been shot dead and a police officer injured in a shootout on Rivonia Road, according to unconfirmed reports.
The shootout occurred at the corner of Centre Road and Rivonia Road. According to ER24 the gunfight between the police and suspects erupted after the police were following up on a criminal investigation.
Unconfirmed reports claimed that the five suspects, travelling in a grey Chevrolet Lumina were tracked down by police after an armed robbery this morning.
Constable Matome Tlamela of the Midrand police said a police officer was driving an unmarked Golf on Rivonia Road when he spotted the vehicle with five suspects.
Reports stated that three suspects were arrested on the scene. Several firearms were recovered, as was stolen property from this morning’s robbery. One suspect was unaccounted for. More information to follow.
@NzingaQ tweeted: Someone just fired shots on Rivonia Road as I was turning. Police in a white unmarked GTI with blue lights were chasing him.
@TrafficSA tweeted: #Shooting incident at Morningside – heavy delays leaving Sandton.
Did you witness the shooting? Tweet us @Sandton_News or share your views and comments on our Facebook page.
I wittened the shooting around 13-20 along revonia jst off Garden court
I think it is the think to do, to kill them when they don’t listen the police to surrender. Also they don’t hesitate to kill innocents when they can for a simple telephone. They don’t respect the law.
To answer the tweet question, I say yes to using deadly force when life is at risk to themselves and others around them. This however comes with an important point of regular training. I am prepared to have my taxes go towards that readiness to improve their skills.
I witnessed the chase from the beginning,,and when the wite golf gti tried to stop the lumina, the lumina tried to make a u-turn on rivonia and crashed into a traffic light,,as the lumina reversed the policeman opened fire! With indangering plenty people including myself! The policeman emptied his whole magazine as the lumina sped away