Three suspected ATM bombers have been killed in a shootout with police in South Africa’s North West province. Two other suspects, including a police officer, were arrested.
The three bombers were shot dead by members of the SAPS’ National Intervention Unit (NIU). The provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh, confirmed that the suspects, who gave chase from Zeerust, fled to their safe house in Magogoe in Mahikeng, where the shootout between police and the suspects took place.
Speaking from the scene, Acting Police Commissioner in the North West, Major General Ryno Naidoo, said there were about 10 to 12 suspects in total.
“The specialised unit was tracking them, and unfortunately, they had already committed the ATM bombing before they could stop them. But then the unit chased them from Zeerust,” he said. Naidoo confirmed that officers had managed to arrest suspects.
“Members managed to arrest some of the suspects on the way, and they are in custody.
“Members then followed the rest of the suspects. They were followed to this location and while waiting for additional backup, the suspects engaged with police in a shooting with high-calibre firearms. Obviously, police had to defend themselves, resulting in the shooting of three of the suspects, who were fatally wounded. There might be other suspects who escaped, but the same team will follow up in this area, and hopefully the others will be located,” Naidoo said.
He confirmed two suspects were arrested by police and that the other suspects who are currently being tracked by police will be arrested soon.
“There is one SAPS member who was arrested on the way here. He is in custody. We are still trying to determine if there are any other members involved,” Naidoo said.
The Commissioner further confirmed that while pathology and crime scene experts are still processing the scene, several firearms, an undisclosed amount of money, and explosives were found and will be seized once the scene has been processed.
Naidoo said while these types of crimes might not be as prevalent in the North West as it is in other provinces, they are working hard to curb these crimes.
“A month ago, a suspect headed to Klerksdorp but was arrested before he could bomb an ATM. We are putting measures in place, and with the help of communities, we are hoping to stamp this out. One of the key things is the information from communities, which helps us a lot,” he said.