Three suspects were fatally wounded during a shootout with police following a business robbery at a jewellery store. Image: Supplied.
Police
1Min
South Africa
Three suspects killed in Witbank jewellery store robbery shootout
Police have launched a manhunt after three suspects were fatally shot and others fled following a brazen jewellery store robbery at Highveld Mall.
Three suspects were fatally wounded during a shootout with police following a business robbery at a jewellery store in Witbank, Mpumalanga on Wednesday morning.
In a statement the police said, approximately eight armed suspects stormed into a jewellery shop at Highveld Mall at around 10:00, where they held a security guard and an employee at gunpoint before stealing an undisclosed amount of jewellery.
Police and private security companies responded swiftly after being alerted to the robbery in progress. The suspects attempted to flee the scene in multiple getaway vehicles but were intercepted shortly after exiting the mall.
During the confrontation, three suspects were shot and killed, while several others managed to escape and remain at large.
At the scene, police recovered three pistols, a rifle, and ammunition believed to have been used during the robbery. A Toyota RAV4 fitted with false registration plates was also seized. Some of the stolen jewellery was found inside the vehicle.
A case of business robbery was opened. The Independent Police Investigation Directorate (IPID) said it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of the suspects.
A manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be reported via the Crime Stop number or the MySAPS app, with anonymity guaranteed.
The recovered firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether they were linked to other crimes.
