Two suspected armed robbers who allegedly posed as police officers were shot dead following a high-speed chase and shootout with law enforcement in Parys, Free State.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the incident unfolded on Sunday after authorities received intelligence about a Volkswagen Golf 7 believed to be linked to a string of so-called “blue light” robberies between Gauteng and the Free State.
A multidisciplinary operation was launched, involving the Tactical Response Team, Traffic Airwing, detectives’ tracking units, SAPS counter-intelligence, and private security companies.
The vehicle was spotted travelling along the R59, fitted with blue lights commonly used by police. When officers attempted to pull it over, the driver allegedly sped off, triggering a high-speed pursuit. Shots were exchanged during the chase.
The suspects’ vehicle later lost control and crashed into a fence in the Parys area. Two men, both dressed in SAPS uniforms, were found dead inside the car.
Police recovered two unlicensed firearms with ammunition, SAPS uniforms with official insignia, blue lights, sirens and false number plates from the vehicle.
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects were behind several blue light robberies in which motorists were stopped under the guise of police roadblocks, then hijacked, kidnapped and forced to withdraw cash from their bank accounts.
Colonel Nevhuhulwi said police would continue to intensify operations targeting blue light gangs and other violent criminals.
Members of the public were urged not to stop for suspicious vehicles displaying blue lights in isolated areas, but instead to drive to the nearest police station or busy filling station. Crime can be reported anonymously to Crime Stop on 08600 10111.