Four alleged extortionists were killed during a shootout with police in Khayelitsha on Wednesday evening, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The incident unfolded in Site C, where the Provincial Combat team was trailing suspects linked to extortion activities targeting local businesses.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa, the operation began when officers received credible information about the suspects.
Members of the combat team spotted a vehicle containing individuals matching the description of the extortionists on Japhta K Masemola Road. Attempting to halt the vehicle, the police faced an immediate and violent response when the occupants brandished firearms.
The police, acting swiftly to protect themselves, returned fire, resulting in the fatal wounding of all four males involved. Following the shootout, authorities recovered three firearms at the scene, believed to have belonged to the deceased individuals.
The effectiveness of the police operation is underscored by the ongoing efforts to combat extortion a crime that has plagued various neighbourhood businesses and instilled fear within the community.
Potelwa stressed the importance of the incident as part of a larger crackdown on illegal activities in the region.
In the wake of the shootout, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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Picture: SA Police Service / X / Screenshot
