Two people were fatally wounded and one was injured and referred to hospital where he later died after a shootout between the police and robbers in Welkom last night.

Police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, said at about 19:30 members of the Tactical Response Team in Thabong acted on crime intelligence led information of a planned business robbery at a casino in Welkom.

“The police followed up on the information which led them to a shack in Meloding, Virginia, where the suspects were allegedly waiting for a pick up vehicle.

“When the police arrived at the shack, a shootout ensued between them and the suspects. Two were arrested. None of our members were wounded during this incident,” says Mbambo.

She says during the shootout the shack in which the suspects took cover in caught fire. The police also confiscated two R1 rifles and nine 9mm pistols.

“A trail of blood was also seen during investigation which means there could still be other suspects on the run,” concludes Mbambo.

-Statement