On 6 May 2026, three suspects were fatally wounded during a shootout with members of the South African Police Service National Intervention Unit in Magogoe Village, Mahikeng, in the North West province. The confrontation followed an ATM bombing that occurred in the early hours of the same day in Dinokana, Zeerust.
The suspects were tracked from the Zeerust area to a safe house in Magogoe Village after an intelligence-driven operation. A shootout broke out when police cornered them at the location. Police returned fire in self-defence after being engaged by the suspects.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in the North West, Major General Dr Ryno Naidoo, confirmed that the operation involved tracking a group of approximately 10 to 12 suspects. Some were arrested en route, while others reached the safe house. Three suspects were fatally wounded in the exchange of gunfire.
Two suspects were arrested at the scene. One of the arrested individuals is a serving member of the South African Police Service. Authorities are investigating possible further involvement by other police officers. The arrested suspects face charges including ATM bombing, possession of explosives, and other related offences. They are expected to appear in court soon.
Major General Naidoo welcomed the swift action and coordination of the multidisciplinary teams. He strongly condemned the alleged involvement of a police officer, stating: “The actions of any member of the SAPS who engages in criminality are a betrayal of the oath to serve and protect. Such conduct will not be tolerated, and those found on the wrong side of the law will face the full might of the law.”
The operation brought together several units: National Intervention Unit members working on illicit mining operations in North West, Tactical Response Team Mahikeng, K9 units from Lichtenburg and Mahikeng, Mmabatho Visible Policing, Mmabatho Detectives, Local Criminal Record Centre, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management, District Detective Coordination, Emergency and Medical Rescue Services, and Provincial Traffic.
At the active crime scene in Mahikeng, police recovered several firearms, an undisclosed amount of money, and explosives. Crime scene experts and pathology teams continued processing evidence.
Major General Naidoo noted that while ATM bombings are not as common in the North West as in some other provinces, police remain proactive. He referenced a recent arrest in the Klerksdorp area a month earlier, where a suspect was stopped before carrying out a planned ATM bombing. He emphasised the role of community information in preventing such crimes.
Police continue to track additional suspects linked to this incident. Investigations into the ATM bombing in Dinokana, Zeerust, the shootout, and the full syndicate are ongoing. No injuries to police officers were reported during the Mahikeng shootout.
OTHER NEWS
Two SAPS Tactical Response Team Sergeants Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash on N4 in Mpumalanga
Two sergeants attached to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Tactical Response Team (TRT) died in a single-vehicle accident on the N4 highway near eMalahleni (Witbank), Mpumalanga, on Tuesday evening, 5 May 2026.
The officers were travelling in a state vehicle, reported as a BMW, en route to Pretoria where they were due to testify in court cases. The accident occurred just after 22:00. The vehicle overturned, crashed through barriers, hit a tree, and rolled down towards the Olifants River, becoming wedged between bushes. One sergeant was ejected from the vehicle, while the other was trapped inside.
Both members were deployed to KwaZulu-Natal as part of the eManguzi Task Team (also referred to as Project Umgodi wemvubu in some reports), assisting with operations combating cross-border crimes in the Manguzi area near the Mozambique border. They were stationed at units including Thembisa TRT and Pretoria Central TRT.
The SAPS has withheld the names of the deceased pending formal notification of immediate family members.
Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, extended condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the two sergeants. “The loss of these dedicated officers is a devastating blow to the organisation. They served the country with commitment and courage. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones during this painful time,” Lieutenant General Dimpane stated.
The SAPS has deployed its Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) unit to provide psychosocial support to the affected families and colleagues, particularly those in the eManguzi Task Team.
Recovery operations at the scene took approximately eight hours due to the vehicle’s position and continuous rain. Personnel from Van Wettens Recovery assisted in retrieving the vehicle.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer David Ratau noted that investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing. SAPS and emergency services have expressed deep condolences.
This incident has been confirmed by official SAPS channels. No further details on passengers, mechanical issues, or other contributing factors have been released at this stage.
The SAPS community continues to mourn the loss of these two TRT members who were actively contributing to specialized crime-fighting efforts in KwaZulu-Natal prior to the accident.
