Local residents were all hyped up, but tensed this past Monday (Feb 24) as news went viral on social media platforms (see Laudium Sun FB Page) about cops and robbers shooting at each other in Laudium.
This followed a war like situation taking place in Laudium ext 2, just after 5pm, after the police specialised unit was on the trail of a gang of armed thugs who were responsible for a number of cash in transit (CIT) robberies in Gauteng, including a recent robbery in Atteridgeville. The police unit spotted the gang driving in two luxury cars in Atteridgeville, a grey Audi A4 and a white BMW X1.However when the gang spotted the cops they immediately sped off resulting in police chasing after them. The thugs went onto Quagga Road driving towards Laudium and then turned into the Military Road leading into Laudium Ext 2.
As police caught up with the armed gang, some of the thugs ran out of their cars and ran into 40th Ave, running into the area near the Shell garage and Maprahal Heights more commonly known as the ‘pink flats’.
Residents, particularly in the Laudium extension 2 and 3 area whilst panicking, ran for cover, but remained curious to see what was going on as a volley of gunshots was heard all over the area, with police & the armed robbers exchanging gunfire on the streets of Laudium Ext 2 and also Military Road. Messages on social media platforms urging residents to stay indoors went viral as police sirens could be heard all over & police helicopters seen roving in the area. Police from the special task force with the help of 2 SAPS choppers managed to foil the thugs with 6 thugs shot dead & a number of unlicensed firearms recovered. One of the gang members, a 22 year old thug was arrested.
Comments from residents
Neal Careten a security guard posted at the Ebrahim Centre, told the Laudium Sun, “I was on duty when the shooting incident occurred just after 5 pm on Monday. I hear a lot of gunshots and helicopters. It was really scary as the whole road coming toward Bengal Street and Military Road was closed. The incident shook the whole of Laudium as all the businesses in the area were closed at that time and no one moved at that time. I heard that six thugs were killed by the SAPS. This was a great move towards hopefully being a crime free and peaceful nation. I really appreciate the law enforcement in South Africa, as they won a big battle against criminals. Laudium is known for crimes and criminals, but with incidents like this, where law enforcement shows us that we still have hope in this country, we can breathe fresh air. Therefore, I must say, we must keep the spirit high, never lose hope, and we will win the battle against crime and make South Africa great again.”
against criminals by shooting and killing them.
Michelle Hussain, a resident of Bengal Street, told the Laudium Sun, “The news that the robbers were killed on Monday was very good, and I really appreciate the SAPS for showing us that we must not lose hope. From what I heard, the robbers were trying to hide in a safe house in Laudium by the small block of flats, where law enforcement officers caught them and conducted a successful operation. Crime in Laudium is increasing, but if the SAPS continues to set these examples day by day, then we know crime will decrease, and we can live a free and happy life in South Africa.”
Jamshed Mohamed, a shopkeeper at the Ebrahim Centre told the Laudium Sun, “I immediately closed my shop when I saw everyone running and heard the shooting, as it was very scary. I heard tons of gunshots, and there was crossfire between the police and the thugs. I literally got scared and thought I would die, but the SAPS did a tremendous job by killing the thugs, and I really appreciate it” When the Laudium Sun called Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo from the office of the Provincial Commissioner of Police for a comment on the shooting, he sent the following statement, “Six cash-in-transit robbery suspects were fatally wounded during a shootout with the police and other law enforcement agencies in Laudium, Tshwane, on Monday, 24 February 2025, just after 17h00. The seventh suspect, aged 22, was arrested without injuries. Police recovered five unlicensed firearms and
ammunition.
frightened when he heard all the gun shots.
Police from Crime Intelligence received information about the suspects who were en -route to commit cash-in-transit robbery in Atteridgeville and activated the team that includes SAPS Gauteng Tactical Response Team, SAPS Gauteng Anti Gang Unit, Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, CAP Specialised Operations and Tracker Connect to be on a lookout for the suspects. The team spotted two vehicles driven by the suspects, a BMW X1 and Audi A4, following a cash-in-transit van. In realising that the police were in the vicinity, the suspects abandoned their mission and sped off. It is then that the police gave chase. As they were stopped at Laudium, the suspects fired shots at the law enforcement officers, and a shootout ensued. Six suspects were shot and killed, and one suspect was arrested without injuries while few others escaped. It was established that one of the cars driven by the suspects, an Audi A4, was reported to be hijacked in Cleveland, Johannesburg, in December 2024.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the suspects are part of the gang that committed a cash-in-transit robbery in Atteridgeville recently, where four security guards were shot and injured. They are also suspected of being involved in other cash-in-transit robberies in Gauteng and other provinces. The suspects are facing charges that include conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as attempted murder.”