Three suspects were shot dead during a high-speed chase and shootout with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Crystal Park, Benoni, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

According to the Hawks, the incident unfolded after members of the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) acted on intelligence about a group allegedly linked to a spate of hijackings and kidnappings along Elm Road in Crystal Park.

Officers conducted a tactical patrol in the area and, at around 20:30, spotted a vehicle matching the description — a silver-grey Opel Astra. The suspects had allegedly just hijacked a female motorist, forcibly removing her from her Fiat and bundling her into their getaway car.

Police attempted to intercept the vehicle, triggering a high-speed chase. During the pursuit, the suspects allegedly opened fire on officers, prompting a shootout. The chase ended when the suspects lost control of their vehicle, crashing into a roadside barrier and landing in an embankment.

“Three suspects were fatally wounded during the exchange of fire,” said Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale.

The kidnapped woman was rescued at the scene and was unharmed. Authorities also recovered two firearms and several items believed to belong to the victim inside the suspects’ vehicle.

The Hawks have not yet released the identities of the deceased, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether the suspects were linked to other crimes in the area.

The incident has sparked strong reactions on social media, with many South Africans expressing frustration over violent crime and support for police action.

One user on X wrote that the suspects were “loaded like garden trash” and claimed they had been wanted for serious crimes, adding that “now they’re just wanted for fertiliser.” Another user expressed mixed feelings, saying they were “glad they got what they deserved, but sad they chose that life.”

A third commenter praised the police, stating: “Thank you, SAPS. It is minus three problems,” while criticising the criminal justice system, suggesting the suspects might have otherwise been released on bail or received lighter sentences.

The South African Police Service has not commented further on the public reaction but reiterated its commitment to tackling violent crime and ensuring the safety of communities.