Chester Makana
Chester Makana
The Independent Complaints Directorate is investigating the death of three alleged robbers killed in two separate shootouts with police this weekend in Limpopo.
The police said the suspected robbers were planning to hold up businesses in Thohoyandou and Ga-Rampuru.
In the first incident two robbers were shot dead at a roadblock near Mvudi Bridge on Friday evening.
The police said they acted on a tip-off that a local gang planned to rob businesses in Thohoyandou.
They spotted four men in a bakkie on the Punda Maria road heading for Thohoyandou's business centre and followed the suspects in an unmarked police vehicle.
Inspector Nkanukeni Raedane said the shootout started when the men were ordered to stop at the roadblock.
"They started shooting and we responded," Raedane said. "Two of them died on the scene b ut we managed to arrest one who was unharmed and a fourth suspect is on the run."
One of those who was killed has been named as Emmanuel Mukatuni Rdzuma, 27. His 35-year-old companion, from Itsani, has not yet been identified.
Police linked the suspects to a string of armed robberies and burglaries in the area.
Police officers seized an unlicensed revolver, butcher's knife and a bolt cutter on the scene.
The third alleged robber was shot dead and his companion seriously wounded in another shootout in Ga-Rampuru.
The police said four robbers had hijacked a car in Tafelkop, forcing the owner into the boot before driving off with his 19-year-old female passenger.
The owner managed to open the boot and escape when the car slowed for a speed hump. An unlicensed 9mm Norinco pistol was recovered.
The dead man was identified as Ivan Malatjie, 22, of Tafelkop near Groblersdal.
Two cop shootouts to be investigated
Chester Makana
Chester Makana
The Independent Complaints Directorate is investigating the death of three alleged robbers killed in two separate shootouts with police this weekend in Limpopo.
The police said the suspected robbers were planning to hold up businesses in Thohoyandou and Ga-Rampuru.
In the first incident two robbers were shot dead at a roadblock near Mvudi Bridge on Friday evening.
The police said they acted on a tip-off that a local gang planned to rob businesses in Thohoyandou.
They spotted four men in a bakkie on the Punda Maria road heading for Thohoyandou's business centre and followed the suspects in an unmarked police vehicle.
Inspector Nkanukeni Raedane said the shootout started when the men were ordered to stop at the roadblock.
"They started shooting and we responded," Raedane said. "Two of them died on the scene b ut we managed to arrest one who was unharmed and a fourth suspect is on the run."
One of those who was killed has been named as Emmanuel Mukatuni Rdzuma, 27. His 35-year-old companion, from Itsani, has not yet been identified.
Police linked the suspects to a string of armed robberies and burglaries in the area.
Police officers seized an unlicensed revolver, butcher's knife and a bolt cutter on the scene.
The third alleged robber was shot dead and his companion seriously wounded in another shootout in Ga-Rampuru.
The police said four robbers had hijacked a car in Tafelkop, forcing the owner into the boot before driving off with his 19-year-old female passenger.
The owner managed to open the boot and escape when the car slowed for a speed hump. An unlicensed 9mm Norinco pistol was recovered.
The dead man was identified as Ivan Malatjie, 22, of Tafelkop near Groblersdal.
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