THE identities of six of the seven men killed during a shoot out with Limpopo police at the weekend is still unknown.

THE identities of six of the seven men killed during a shoot out with Limpopo police at the weekend is still unknown.

Police said yesterday they were battling to establish the men's identities, let alone locate their families. Only one of the alleged would-be robbers was identified as KM Phetla from Mamelodi near Pretoria.

The men were allegedly "caught in the act" while trying to steal money from a cash depot in Polokwane on Sunday. A two-hour shoot out ensued when the robbers were cornered after gaining entry to the Coin Security offices by police acting on a tip-off.

The men, some wearing balaclavas, were at the money safe with an angle grinder when police found them. They allegedly started firing at police who then returned fire, killing all the robbers.

Senior Superintendent Musa Zondi said yesterday that the three firearms used by the robbers had their serial numbers filed off.