A high-stakes shootout between police and suspected cash-in-transit robbers occurred on the R80 highway in Mabopane, Gauteng, on Monday, 28 September 2026. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of three suspects and the arrest of a fourth. According to Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, a multidisciplinary team had been tracking the suspects based on intelligence about an alleged robbery plot. The team, comprising various law enforcement units and private security, spotted a white Hyundai H1 and attempted to stop it using blue lights.
The occupants of the Hyundai H1 allegedly opened fire on the police, prompting a response that led to the fatal wounding of three suspects. Police recovered an AK-47 rifle and a 9mm pistol from the vehicle. Nevhuhulwi stated that the recovered firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine if they are linked to other crimes. Forensic experts are currently processing the scene for further evidence. The police action was part of a broader effort to disrupt cash-in-transit robberies and cross-pavement robberies in Gauteng.
A fourth suspect, believed to be working with the same team, was arrested while traveling in a Toyota Avanza. He was found in possession of a 9mm pistol. The Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing in Gauteng, Major General Fred Kekana, commended the multidisciplinary team for their continued efforts to combat crime in the province. The successful operation highlights the collaboration between different law enforcement units and private security in tackling organized crime.
The shootout in Mabopane occurred just two days after a separate incident in Barberton, where one man was killed and three others injured in a shooting outside a tavern. The Barberton shooting took place in the early hours of Saturday, 26 September 2026, in Emjindini. Police responded to a report from hospital staff at around 03:50am. Preliminary investigations suggest that the group was attacked while walking home from the tavern.
The suspects in the Barberton shooting fled the scene, prompting the South African Police Service to open a murder case and three counts of attempted murder. A manhunt is currently underway, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS app. The police are working to identify and apprehend the suspects in both incidents.
The Mabopane shootout demonstrates the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to address cash-in-transit robberies and other violent crimes in Gauteng. The police have been working to disrupt and dismantle networks involved in these crimes. The recovery of high-powered firearms and the arrest of suspects are seen as significant successes in this endeavor.
The collaboration between different law enforcement agencies and private security in the Mabopane operation is seen as a positive step in the fight against organized crime. The police continue to appeal for community support and encourage individuals with information to come forward. The investigation into both the Mabopane and Barberton incidents is ongoing.
Key points
- Three suspected cash-in-transit robbers were shot dead in a shootout with police on the R80 highway in Mabopane, Gauteng.
- A fourth suspect was arrested and found in possession of a 9mm pistol.
- The incidents highlight the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat cash-in-transit robberies and other violent crimes in Gauteng.
