On Thursday, 21 May 2026, members of the Gauteng Tactical Response Team (TRT), working with Crime Intelligence and other law enforcement agencies, conducted an intelligence-driven operation at the intersection of the N12 and Xavier Road.
The operation stemmed from a hijacking in Germiston, where a white Isuzu bakkie was taken and the victim was kidnapped and forced to accompany the suspects.
During the police interception, officers identified additional vehicles believed to have been used as convoy vehicles by the suspects. Two suspects fled into nearby bushes and opened fire on police, leading to a shootout. One suspect was fatally wounded at the scene. The kidnapped victim was rescued unharmed.
Police recovered one unlicensed firearm with ammunition and the hijacked Isuzu bakkie. Three additional vehicles allegedly used by the suspects—a Mitsubishi SUV, a VW Polo, and a Volvo—were also seized.
Cases of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, possession of a hijacked motor vehicle, carjacking, and kidnapping have been opened.
The operation involved SAPS Counter Intelligence (Head Office), Gauteng TRT, Gauteng Traffic Police Air Wing, SAPS DPC Tracking Team, CAP Specialised Operations, and Tracker Connect.
SAPS management in Gauteng commended the multidisciplinary team for its swift, coordinated, and decisive response, resulting in the arrests, recovery of the hijacked vehicle, and safe rescue of the victim.