Suspected robbers die in crash

A motor vehicle crash which occurred at about 5:10 on the R573 Road between Slaagboom and Siyabuswa claimed lives of two men suspected of involvement in a violent filling station robbery which was committed at about 2:30 in Moteti Village on 8 September.

According to the police, the firearms and ammunition recovered from the crashed Nissan Navara have been positively linked to the two suspects and the robbery.

Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police spokesperson, said a group of men armed with handguns and rifles allegedly stormed a filling station at Moteti Complex.

Ledwaba said the men accosted the security guards and a cashier before proceeding to the cash office, where they allegedly used an explosive device to breach the drop safe.

“They subsequently fled the premises on foot while firing several shots. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen from the safe,” Ledwaba said.

Several pistol and rifle cartridges were recovered on the scene. Police later received information about a white Nissan Navara with a Mpumalanga registration number which had overturned between Syabuswa and Slaagboom towards Marble Hall at about 5:10.

“Police found two male occupants on the scene. The driver was certified dead on the scene. The passenger had sustained serious injuries. He was transported to hospital, where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment,” Ledwaba said.

An R5 rifle, two R5 magazines, 56 rounds of ammunition of an R5, two 9mm pistols, one empty magazine of a 9mm pistol and one round of ammunition of a 9mm were recovered during the processing of the accident scene.

“Preliminary investigations have positively linked the deceased aged 34 and 35 to the filing station robbery. Police are working hard to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects who were part of the armed group.