Six killed as police chase robbers in Springs

Three suspected house robbers were shot dead, two more were killed when the car they had hijacked overturned and a truck driver was murdered as they tried to make their getaway near Springs on Wednesday, Gauteng police said.

A group of about nine men earlier fled Secunda's Kenroff area in a bakkie, after allegedly having broken into several houses, spokesman Colonel Eugene Opperman said. "Police were on the lookout and it seems as though the robbers got lost and ended up near the Daven police station. The robbers fired shots at police and fled."

Daven police, the Secunda flying squad and other units gave chase on the R29 near Springs.

"Several shots were fired at police, who returned fire. Three robbers were shot dead," said Opperman.

The rest of the gang hijacked a car and a truck, and shot dead the truck driver.

"The chase continued towards Springs when other police vehicles in the area came across them. More shots were fired at those police officers and a police bakkie overturned."

Two police officers were slightly injured.

"The hijacked vehicle overturned during the shooutout and landed at the bottom of an embankment, where two more robbers died."

Four other alleged gang members were arrested.

Some of the stolen goods and five unlicensed firearms were recovered.