In a tragic turn of events, two suspects died when a police van collided with a private vehicle in Sunnyside, Pretoria, earlier this week. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has prompted the Gauteng police to open a case of culpable homicide. According to Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, the provincial police spokesperson, five police officers were inside the marked SAPS vehicle at the time of the crash and sustained various injuries. The officers were quickly transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
At the time of the collision, the police officers were transporting three suspects who had been arrested for motor vehicle theft. The police van, while en route, collided with a Hyundai Atos, resulting in the deaths of two of the suspects. The third suspect was taken to the medical center in a critical state. Fortunately, the driver of the private vehicle involved in the crash escaped unharmed.
Masondo shared that the suspects had been apprehended earlier in connection with a string of car thefts. The arrested individuals were reportedly found in possession of car jammers and multiple sets of car registration plates. These items hinted at the suspects’ involvement in a much broader criminal network.
This tragic incident comes on the heels of another significant development involving the same group of suspects. Earlier this month, police arrested three men believed to be behind a series of high-profile car hijackings across Pretoria and its surrounding areas. The arrests followed a well-coordinated operation, which brought together the SAPS Highway Patrol Unit, Tracker Connect, CAP Specialised Operations, and the Insurance Crime Bureau. The operation led to the discovery of a hijacked Volkswagen Golf GTI, a firearm, and a significant amount of ammunition in the possession of the suspects.
Intelligence-driven efforts by the multi-agency team led them to track the suspects to Pretoria Central, where they were apprehended. During a search of the vehicle, officers found the hijacked car fitted with false registration plates, further tying the suspects to organized car theft and hijacking operations.
Authorities believe the suspects may have had ties to a local security company in Pretoria, although investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of their criminal activities. The authorities are keen to unravel the extent of the network involved in these crimes, especially considering the stolen vehicles and illegal items found in their possession.
The crash, which ended tragically for the suspects, has raised questions about police safety protocols and the risks involved in transporting detainees. While the full details of the investigation continue to unfold, the incident underscores the complexities and dangers faced by law enforcement officers in their ongoing battle against car-related crimes in the region.
