Two suspected blue-light robbers have been shot dead during a confrontation with police in Parys, in the Free State.
Police say officers were pursuing a VW Golf 7 believed to be linked to a series of blue-light robberies when the suspects attempted to flee. During the high-speed chase, the vehicle lost control and crashed into a fence, leading to a shootout between the suspects and police.
The two suspects were fatally wounded during the exchange. Police later discovered that the deceased were wearing police uniforms.
Officers recovered several items at the scene, including two unlicensed firearms with ammunition, police uniforms and blue lights believed to have been used to impersonate law enforcement officers.
Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi says a multi-disciplinary team, comprising various Gauteng-based police units including the Tactical Response Team, Traffic Airwing, Detectives’ Tracking Team, Head Office Counter-Intelligence and private security companies had been acting on intelligence related to the vehicle.
“The team operationalised intelligence information about a VW Golf 7 involved in blue-light robberies. The vehicle was spotted on the R59 road fitted with blue lights. When police attempted to stop it, the driver sped off, leading to a high-speed chase and a shootout between the suspects and police,” Nevhuhulwi said.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.