Overview
- Police raided a Rietfontein plot on Tuesday after intelligence indicated a truck on the N1 was being targeted, detaining 17 suspects.
- A shootout broke out when suspects opened fire on officers, leaving four suspects wounded and taken to hospital under police guard.
- Officers recovered an AK-47, four pistols, five vehicles, a signal-jamming device, traffic police uniforms, balaclavas and a cutting grinder.
- Authorities have opened cases of attempted murder, conspiracy and possession of unlicensed firearms plus offences for traffic uniforms and the jamming device, and the suspects will appear at the Vereeniging Magistrate's Court as investigators consider further charges.
- Vehicle and truck hijackings regularly target major routes such as the N1, and police say the seized equipment and disguises show how organised syndicates disable trackers and impersonate officials to carry out attacks.