A gun battle between suspected car hijackers and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) left at least one dead and another wounded on Friday evening in Alexandra.
JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla, said operations officers deployed in Alexandra received a lookout from Tracker Control of a white Toyota Tazz that was allegedly hijacked by two males in Kwa Thema Springs.

“The vehicle’s tracking signal was transmitting along London Road in Alexandra. The officers responded to the call, and the sought-after vehicle was spotted at London Road and 6th Avenue. The officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver sped off, and a chase ensued”, said Fihla.

Fihla added that the vehicle eventually stopped at London Road and 1st Avenue. Upon stopping, two males alighted from the vehicle and started shooting at the officers. “The officers returned fire and shot both males. One male sustained fatal injuries and was declared deceased on scene; the second male sustained injuries to his lower body. Two unlicensed firearms and hollow point ammunition were recovered by the officers.”
A case for possession of a hijacked motor vehicle, unlicensed firearms, and ammunition was opened at Alexandra SAPS.

The injured suspect was taken to a medical facility under police guard.