A group of follow-home robbers were arrested on December 10 on the N3 highway in Johannesburg.
Members of the African Police Service National Investigation Unit (NINU) and Flying Squad acted on intelligence and arrested two suspects, while one was shot dead during the shootout.
“The team followed up on the intelligence and spotted the Mercedes travelling from the airport. Attempts to have the suspects’ vehicle stopped led to a shootout on the N3 near the Marlboro off-ramp in Johannesburg.
“One male suspect was shot dead and two men were arrested. The police also recovered two unlicensed firearms. The Mercedes ML, which the suspects were using, was reported hijacked in the Norwood area in October this year,” said Police Spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo on Monday (Dec 11).
The National Investigation Unit received intelligence that a group of men were making use of a white Mercedes Benz ML, and were targeting commuters travelling from OR Tambo International Airport.
Naidoo reported that the suspects could possibly be linked to at least five other airport follow-home incidents.
The suspects will face charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, armed robbery, and murder. They will appear in Court on Tuesday (Dec 12).
Sisa Ntshona, CEO of South African Tourism commented: “We all know the issues regarding security, which is vital when attracting tourists, both domestic and international, and when achievements such as these occur it creates excitement that South Africa can offer a safe environment for tourists and citizens alike.”
Ntshona said it was a real testament to all those involved, as it is a formidable outcome.
Dean Cherry, Managing Director of Nhongo Safaris and Vice-Chair for the Gauteng Chapter of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association said: “This is a significant breakthrough in the follow-home crime incidents and for the [tourism] industry.”
He mentioned that the industry needed to stay positive and that Ortia and officials are doing everything they can to combat such crime.
