Four Suspects Killed in Riverlea Shootout, Businessman Rescued in Randfontein Operation

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, four suspects were killed in a shootout with police in Riverlea, south of Johannesburg, following a business robbery in the Johannesburg Central Business District, according to Gauteng police.

A crime intelligence-driven operation, conducted by a multidisciplinary team including the Gauteng Tactical Response Team, Anti-Gang Unit, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations Tracking Team, Gauteng Traffic Police Air Wing, SAPS National Counterintelligence, CAP Specialised Operations, Bad Boyz Security, and Tracker Connect, targeted the suspects. Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko reported that the operation was initiated after a robbery at a shop in Johannesburg Central earlier that morning.

“When members attempted to intercept the suspects in Riverlea, the suspects opened fire, sparking a shootout,” Sibeko said. Three suspects were fatally shot during the exchange, and a fourth was declared dead by paramedics at the scene, despite showing no visible injuries. Two unlicensed firearms and items stolen during the robbery were recovered. Police are investigating charges of business robbery, attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms.

In a separate operation on Thursday, July 10, 2025, the SAPS anti-kidnapping task team rescued a 60-year-old businessman kidnapped on May 29 in Lenasia, as reported by national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. The family had faced ransom demands of at least R15 million. Acting on intelligence, police raided a house in Randfontein around 3:15 p.m., where a shootout occurred. “Two suspects were fatally wounded, and three were arrested,” Mathe said. The businessman was safely reunited with his family. The operation involved SAPS Crime Intelligence, Organised Crime, K9, Johannesburg Metro Police Department, Gauteng Flying Squad, Gauteng Highway Patrol, and private security.

Source: African Publicity