Man killed in shootout with cops soon after truck hijacked

A MAN was shot dead within half-an-hour of allegedly hijacking a milk delivery truck in Motherwell yesterday.

A shootout ensued when the police intercepted the truck as it was entering Kwazakhele.

The truck had been hijacked in Ngonyama Street at about midday when the driver was delivering milk, police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said.

“He was held at gunpoint by three men, who took his wallet and the truck keys.”

The hijackers fled in the truck, prompting a tracking company to be alerted.

Beetge said that within 30 minutes, police had found the truck speeding towards Kwazakhele on the M17.

“A chase ensued and as the truck slowed in Buyambo Street, Kwazakhele, one of the suspects jumped out and started firing at police.

“The police returned fire, fatally injuring the suspect,” he said.

In the shootout, the truck sped off and was later found abandoned in Kwazakhele.

A firearm, and a toy gun, and the driver’s wallet were found.

“The firearm used on the police was [taken] from a security guard in Port Elizabeth this month. We are investigating whether it can be connected to anymore crimes,” Beetge said.

The two hijackers who escaped remain at large.

In a shootout on Tuesday, George Dithebe, 31, was shot dead after police intercepted the VW Polo he allegedly hijacked leaving Port Elizabeth.

Earlier on Tuesday, two teens were caught after hijacking a delivery vehicle with toy guns in Sidwell.

An 18-year-old was shot in the ankle and his accomplice, 15, arrested in Singapi Street, New Brighton, shortly after the hijacking.