DUNOON – Western Cape police have shot dead three men believed to have been extorting money from shop owners in Dunoon.
Four other suspects were wounded and are in hospital under police guard.
The Western Cape Operational Command Centre says its combat team came under fire on Bosmansdam Road in Bothasig, as the suspects tried to escape in a mini bus.
Police fired back, and later confiscated guns and cash.
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WC Head of Crime Detection Major General Bongani Maqashalala said, “The members of the combat team that is tasked to prevent extortion received information about people that were extorting shops in Dunoon. Around 2pm they came across a mini taxi they tried to stop it but it sped off and as they were chasing it the occupants fired shots and the police retaliated a crossfire ensued until the taxi left the road and bumped against a tree. Subsequent to that four were injured and three died on the spot.” Cover some of him with crime scene viz
He says the combat team is highly trained and no member was wounded.
Maqashalala said, “So far we have seized the taxi, AK47 assault rifle a handgun and cash.”
Residents of Bothasig say they are shocked this could happen in their quiet suburb.
Extortion remains a top priority for the Western Cape police, and they are encouraging victims to come forward by using the toll-free extortion hotline.
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