The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has applauded the police for recovering stolen firearms including rifle, that were linked with various serious and violent crimes reported in Capricorn and Sekhukhune districts. This follows the subsequent shootout with two most wanted and dangerous criminals, on Tuesday, 25 February 2025 at Ga-Mampuru in Burgersfort policing area. The suspects have been terrorising community members in the areas, and upon being cornered by the police, they started shooting at them, the police then retaliated resulting in the death of the suspects.
The members of Provincial Tracking Team, Provincial Investigations Unit, Polokwane TRT, Masemola K9, Polokwane Air-wing, Lebowakgomo detectives and Lebowakgomo Task Team received intelligence leads that the suspects were hiding in the bushes next to R555 near Ga-Mampuru. The team followed up, and when confronted, the suspects, then shot at the police. They retaliated, and one of the suspects was fatally wounded, and found in possession of one pistol with 06 ammunition. He is currently unidentified, at an estimated age of between 30 and 35.
Meanwhile, his accomplices fled from the scene with a rifle. The team followed him, and he further fired shots at the police, they retaliated and he was also fatally wounded. The suspect was also found in possession of one R5 rifle with 03 live ammunition, and a 9mm pistol with 03 live ammunition and 12 cellphones, which are believed to be stolen. He was identified as a fugitive who was on the run after he escaped from the Lebowakgomo Magistrate’s Court on 17 March 2023. He was arrested for multiples charges of rape, house breaking and house robbery. His age is estimated between 30 and 40.
The duo was part of the suspects that committed various offences, which included a murder of a Limpopo Highway Patrol Sergeant, whereby three rifles were stolen. Other serious charges against them are over ten (10), such as rape, murder, house robbery and kidnapping, occurred at Lebowakgomo, Magatle, Sekhukhune and Mankweng policing areas.
Following the incident, Paramedics were activated to the scene, both male suspects were then declared dead on the scene.
“We appreciate everyone including the community members for providing the police with positive information that resulted in the successful tracking and tracing of the most wanted suspects,” said Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
The Police investigations are ongoing.