PRETORIA — Three suspects were arrested and an unlicensed firearm was recovered following a high-speed pursuit on the R21 highway on Thursday, 25 June 2026.
The joint operation, which concluded at approximately 13:00, was conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in collaboration with the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) and multiple private security firms: Brinant Security, Noordvaal Security, Bidvest Protea Coin Airwing, Monitor Net Security, ADT Fidelity Security, Tracker South Africa, Vision Tactical, and Proshield Security.
Law enforcement mobilized after receiving intelligence that a silver Kia Rio was linked to a series of armed robberies along the R21 freeway. In these prior incidents, victims were allegedly robbed at gunpoint of cell phones and personal belongings.
At 13:00, the suspect vehicle was spotted traveling toward the Pretoria Central Business District. Officers and private security personnel monitored the vehicle while deploying additional resources. Once operational support was assembled, law enforcement attempted a traffic stop to investigate the occupants’ involvement in the reported robberies.
The driver refused to comply with instructions to stop, accelerating and driving recklessly through traffic to evade arrest. During the pursuit, a private security vehicle pulled alongside the suspects’ car, at which point one of the suspects allegedly pointed a firearm at the pursuing officers.
In response to the threat, law enforcement executed a tactical vehicle takedown. The suspects lost control of the Kia Rio, which came to a stop on the side of the highway. All three occupants attempted to flee on foot but were immediately apprehended by the pursuing teams.
Crime scene investigators processed the vehicle and recovered an unlicensed firearm with a removed serial number.
Two of the suspects sustained injuries during the incident and remain hospitalized under police guard. The third suspect is being held in police custody.
The suspects are expected to face charges including armed robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, pointing of a firearm, and possession of suspected stolen property. Police indicated that additional charges may be added as the investigation progresses.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine whether the suspects, the recovered firearm, and the vehicle are linked to other serious and violent crimes.