South African Police killed 18 suspected thieves this Friday in a shootout in the north of South Africa, in the province of Limpopo, the security forces confirmed.

Police spokesman Brigadier Atlenda Mate told local media that the events were produced in the city of Louis Trichard.

In turn, the national commissioner of the body, Fanny Macemola, assured that it is assumed that the murdered suspects committed robberies of money in transit, that is, thefts carried out when the amount of money or other valuables they are transported in special vehicles such as vans.

As the agents surrounded the house they were operating from, the alleged thieves began firing at the police and shooting. “It went on for about 90 minutes”Masemola explained that a man in uniform was seriously injured as a result.

“Our intention was to stop them before they could commit the “crime”information about which the police received, he added, without specifying the details.

Crime is a major problem in South Africa, where recorded about 6,300 murders and more than 10,500 rapes in just three months, from January to March of this year, police minister General Beki Chele said at the end of May.

Photo: Reuters

For several days they “watched” the alleged thieves.

Of note, South African police said they had been investigating and “watching” a group of suspects for several days who were allegedly planning a robbery in various parts of Limpopo. Nevertheless, until today, shooting was carried out in Mahado.

On the other hand, the authorities also reported that the arrest was completed in relation to four subjects in connection with their alleged participation in the events and 10 high-performance cars seized., as well as seven automatic rifles. (EFE)

Photo: X (@NewsOclick_SA)