On Tuesday, 28 April at about 8pm, a woman was killed and a taxi driver injured during an armed robbery near Durban Deep in Roodepoort.
Reportedly, the victim was a passenger in the taxi when three men signalled it to stop at the Main Reef Road traffic circle, posing as potential passengers. A few minutes later, as the taxi was driving along next to the old Roodepoort (Durban Deep) mine, the driver demanded payment from the three new passengers but, instead of taking out money, the thugs took out firearms and shot the driver and the woman. The woman died at the scene, and the driver was taken to hospital. The other passengers were robbed of their belongings before the robbers fled.
On Thursday, 30 April, members from the police, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) K9 Unit, received information about a gang that was terrorising the Matholesville, Bram Fischerville and Roodepoort areas. They were believed to have committed more than eight murders during multiple robberies.
The information received included the whereabouts of the suspects, and members were activated to raid the hideout. Upon arrival, the members tactically penetrated the house and found the suspects. They had three power gel explosives as well as three unlicensed firearms in their possession.
Members from the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) processed the scene, and the suspects were detained at the Roodepoort Police Station.
Captain Juanita Yorke, the Roodepoort Police spokesperson was contacted for comment on the incident, but by the time this article was published, none had been received.
An update will follow as soon as comment has been received.
