Midrand – Five men, aged between 27 and 39, who are alleged to be part of an online scam syndicate, were wounded during a shootout with police in Midrand on Monday, 25 August.
According to authorities, the suspects opened fire after officers intercepted them during an operation targeting online fraud and violent crime in the area. Police returned fire, wounding all five suspects. They were immediately taken to hospital under police guard.
The group is expected to appear before the Midrand Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 27 August, facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
Police spokespersons have confirmed that investigations are ongoing and further arrests could not be ruled out. The firearms recovered at the scene will undergo ballistic testing to determine if they were linked to other crimes.
Law enforcement has warned that syndicates operating online scams often escalate to violent crime, urging communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.