Cape Town — Four alleged extortionists were killed and four others were seriously wounded during a shootout with police in Milnerton, Cape Town, on Thursday evening.
The SAPS Western Cape task team was acting on intelligence about wanted alleged extortionists, which directed them to the Milnerton area, police spokesperson Brigadier Novella Potelwa said in a statement.
“Police reports indicate as police followed the vehicle with suspects they came under fire from the occupants of the vehicle which led to police shooting back,” he said.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, who was present at the scene, expressed relief that no police officers were injured during the confrontation, as reported by IOL.
#sapsWC An operation by a Western Cape task team following intelligence about #wanted alleged extortionists led to a shootout between the police and the suspects who were driving in a minibus on Thursday evening in Milnerton. Four suspects were shot and killed and four other… pic.twitter.com/GsrNvzdgRI
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 30, 2024
The wounded suspects aged 23, 30, 34 and 38 currently remain under police guard in a medical facility.
Police seized four firearms and four rounds of ammunition from the vehicle the suspects were travelling in.
Police will provide further details once they have combed the crime scene and continue with investigations.
Speaking to eNCA, Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General, Thembisile Patekile, explained the circumstances behind the operation and revealed that the extortionists were allegedly set to attack a group of people.
“Police followed the group in an attempt to stop them so that they could search the vehicles, for allegedly carrying firearms. When they saw the police, they sped off and police gave chase and they started firing at the police, who fired back in an attempt to ward off the attack,” Patekile said.
Four alleged extortionists have been killed by the Western Cape police in a shootout in Milnerton, Cape Town. Firearms and rounds of ammunition have been seized. More details on https://t.co/srSwp4H5Hm #DStv403 #QuestionThinkAct pic.twitter.com/wObWoQ613K
— eNCA (@eNCA) August 30, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
