Cops kill four in N12 shoot-out

Four men were shot dead yesterday morning and two police officers injured in a bloody shoot-out on the N12, near the Putfontein turnoff in Benoni.

The South African Police Service (Saps) said police officers on routine patrol came under fire from brazen gunmen when they flagged down a silver MercedesBenz along the N12, near the Luthuli Informal Settlement.

Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said during peak-hour traffic on the N12 at the Putfontein off-ramp, the Flying Squad members ordered the driver to stop, but the occupants responded by opening fire on the police. This resulted in the shoot-out.

Two of the police sustained injuries. When the police returned fire and all four armed suspects in the Mercedes-Benz were fatally wounded.

Police recovered three rifles and ammunition. Explosives were also found in the boot of the car.

The vehicle had been reported as hijacked in Yeoville, Johannesburg in April.

“The Saps will continue to ensure visibility on the streets of our country and confront, within the confines of our laws, all those whose aim is to make life difficult for our people to do their day-today business without any fear,” said acting national police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane.

“The response by our members in this instance must be commended by all of us in that they sent a strong message to all criminals that crime and criminality will not be tolerated.

“Those committing crime and, in particular, the onslaught on our people by brazen criminals wielding firearms in the streets of our country, will receive no mercy.”

Phahlane wished the injured police officers a “speedy recovery”. – ANA

The message is: there will be no mercy for criminals. Lt-Gen Khomotso Phahlane Acting national police commissioner