An attempted car hijacking on the N3 freeway near Vosloorus ended in a fatal shootout with police on Thursday evening, leaving one suspected hijacker dead and two victims injured.
According to police, the incident occurred at approximately 6:30pm on 30 July 2026 near the Pelser Road bridge in Extension 25, Vosloorus.
Members of the Vosloorus SAPS Crime Prevention Unit were conducting routine patrols along the N3 freeway when they noticed a stationary white Toyota Starlet.
As officers approached the vehicle in a marked police vehicle, they observed several people struggling in and around the car.
Before police could intervene, gunshots rang out. Officers returned fire after coming under attack from the suspects, who allegedly continued shooting at police while fleeing into a nearby field.
One suspected hijacker was fatally wounded during the exchange of fire and was declared dead at the scene by paramedics. Police recovered a firearm next to the deceased suspect.
The two occupants of the Toyota Starlet told police they had picked up a hitchhiker in Harrismith, Free State, while travelling to Gauteng. They alleged that when they stopped to drop the passenger off near the scene, four additional armed men suddenly emerged, assaulted them with firearms and attempted to hijack the vehicle.
During the struggle, the victims heard gunfire before the suspects fled on foot into nearby fields.
Both victims sustained injuries to their upper bodies and were treated after suffering open wounds.
Police processed the crime scene and collected four spent cartridge cases. Forensic investigators also conducted touch DNA and gunshot residue examinations as part of the investigation.
Two criminal cases have been opened for attempted car hijacking and murder. Police investigations are continuing as efforts to trace the remaining suspects remain underway.
