A shootout in Jeppestown, Johannesburg, on Sunday ended in what was described as a bloodbath with four police officers and eight suspects killed.
An emotional Gauteng provincial Commissioner Perumal Naidoo told reporters at the scene that ”four policemen had lost their lives in the line of duty”.
Paramedics at the scene described it as a ”bloodbath”.
A large gang of heavily armed robbers fled to the house in Jeppestown after robbing a Pick ‘n Pay in Honeydew on the West Rand on Sunday morning.
Police followed them and a shootout ensued, resulting in the deaths of four police officers and eight robbers.
After the incident, Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula said in an interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation that anyone who points a gun at a police officer will be killed.
”There are some criminals in South Africa who are armed, and are prepared to kill people … Anyone who points a firearm at police will be killed by police officers,” he said.
A tense day at the house on the corner of Main and Hans streets saw reports of a hostage drama when two police officers were believed to be hiding from the gang inside the house.
When Naidoo was asked if it was a hostage situation, he replied: ”I will not say that at this stage.”
Fourteen of the robbers handed themselves over to police as the day unfolded. Another had been arrested earlier at the supermarket, Naidoo said.
He said two police officers, as well as ”a number of the robbers”, were injured.
Naidoo, who was flanked by area commissioners, paid tribute to the four police officers who died.
”The robbers that were dealt with today were causing havoc in the whole province and I am proud of the four policemen who paid with their lives to ensure that Gauteng will always be safe.
”These guys were brave guys. It just is unfortunate and sad that they have fallen down,” he said.
Of the two police officers who were injured, one is male and one female.
Nqakula admitted there is a lot of violent crime in South Africa, which is ”one of the things we want to bring down as quickly as possible”.
He said the incident shows that police are trained to handle such situations and will do whatever is necessary to bring these violent criminals to book.
”I regret that there was such bloodletting regarding this incident,” said Nqakula.
The minister arrived at the scene of the violent shootout late on Sunday evening. — Sapa