Syndicate’s reign of terror on N1 and R28 ends in arrests after shootout

On the night of Thursday, 21 November, a syndicate operating along the N1 Freeway, National Road, and R28 Randfontein Road met their match when they attempted to ambush Freestate Highway Patrol members.

Unaware they were targeting police officers, the criminals initiated an attack, resulting in a violent shootout. During the exchange of gunfire, a 24-year-old suspect was fatally wounded, while others fled the scene.

A swift response from Sedibeng District police led to the arrest of nine suspects. Authorities confiscated several items from the scene, including a police reflector jacket, a pellet gun, four firearms and ammunition.

,Orange Farm’s station commander, Brigadier Manamela, commended the collaborative efforts of Fezile Dabi members in the Free State and Sedibeng District officers in Gauteng. He praised their competence and teamwork, which dismantled a dangerous syndicate without any casualties among police personnel.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court, facing charges of attempted murder, attempted car hijacking and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.