News24 | Four killed, another four wounded in Cape Town shootout with police

Four suspects have been shot and killed during a confrontation with police in Milnerton, Cape Town. (Supplied/SAPS)

• Four people have been killed in a shootout with police in Cape Town.
• Another four were injured during the shootout.
• Police intercepted the group, following on information that they were linked to an extortion group.

Four suspects have been shot and killed during a confrontation with police in Milnerton, Cape Town.

Another four are in hospital, according to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

Mathe said the eight people were "allegedly on their way to commit a mass shooting".

Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novella Potelwa said that the operation by a provincial task team followed intelligence about "wanted alleged extortionists".

She said the suspects were driving in a minibus taxi on Thursday evening in Milnerton when the police intercepted them.

"Police reports indicate as police followed the vehicle with suspects, they came under fire from the occupants of the vehicle, which led to police shooting back," she said.

News24 understands the incident took place shortly after 22:00.

The wounded suspects are all from Cape Town and are aged 23, 30, 34 and 38. They are under police guard in a medical facility, said Potelwa.

Four firearms and rounds of ammunition were seized from the vehicle the suspects were travelling in.

"As police comb the scene and investigations continue, further details are expected to emerge," said Potelwa.

Western Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembekile Patekile was at the scene on Friday morning.

Speaking at the scene, Patekile said that a group of suspected extortionists had attempted to flee once they realised they were being followed by police and opened fire on the officers - this compelled the police to return fire.

A number of cellphones were also confiscated by police, he added.

The shooting on Friday comes at a time when police top brass are in Cape Town for the release of the fourth quarter crime statistics for 2023/2024 and the first quarter crime statistics for 2024/2025.