Fireworks in broad daylight? This is what residents of Paarl East near the foot of Du Toitskloof Pass thought when a wild shooting took place between police and armed robbers on Tuesday morning.
A wild west style chase from De Doorns to Paarl ended in a shooting that claimed the life of one robber.
The incident unfolded when six suspects robbed a post office in De Doorns.
The anti-gang members of the police were quickly deployed while the robbers fled in the direction of Paarl via the old Du Toitskloof Pass.
Police traced the vehicle on the pass and various shots were fired between the suspects and police.
When the fleeing vehicle reached the bottom of Du Toitskloof Pass at Paarl East and directly opposite the police’s K9 dog unit, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it rolled.
One of the suspects was found a few metres away from the vehicle and was declared dead on the scene. It is currently unknown whether he was shot or died as a result of the crash. Five suspects were arrested. More than R21 000 of cash, Sassa cards and three revolvers were seized.
The pass was closed and cordoned off for hours while police investigated the scene.
The suspects will be transferred to Worcester where they will appear in court on charges of robbery.
