Four suspected armed robbers were fatally wounded and a fifth suspect injured and arrested following a crime intelligence-driven operation in Yeoville in the early hours of Wednesday, 25 March 2026.
According to Gauteng SAPS, the operation unfolded at approximately 05:30 after intelligence was received about a group allegedly linked to a series of armed robberies targeting travellers from OR Tambo International Airport.
The information was operationalised by a multi-disciplinary team including SAPS Counter Intelligence, the Gauteng Tactical Response Team (TRT), Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, CAP Specialised Operations and Tracker Connect.
Police identified the suspects travelling in a Suzuki Swift fitted with false registration plates and attempted to intercept the vehicle in Yeoville. This led to a high-speed chase, which escalated into a shootout between the suspects and law enforcement officers.
“Four suspects were fatally wounded, while a fifth suspect sustained injuries, was arrested, and is currently under police guard. Three unlicensed firearms and ammunition were recovered at the scene,” said Captain Tintswalo Sibeko.
Police have opened cases of murder, attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Authorities confirmed that the Serious and Violent Crimes Investigations unit will continue probing the case, including profiling the suspects in collaboration with Crime Intelligence. The recovered firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether they are linked to other crimes.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Sibeko alerted colleagues to an “active crime scene at Yeoville,” confirming that “four suspects [were] fatally wounded and one injured,” with three firearms recovered.
The public has been urged to report any criminal activity to SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App.
