GAUTENG – A police shootout in Tembisa South during #OperationBoisa resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, an R4 rifle, and two pistols after suspects opened fire on members of the National Tracking and Tracing Team. The incident highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts to neutralize violent crime and maintain public safety in the Ekurhuleni District.
The operation unfolded on Monday, 24 August 2026, at approximately 20:40. Law enforcement officials were acting on actionable intelligence at the Ehlanzeni Hostel in Tembisa South, tracking suspects who were traveling in three vehicles: a white T-Cross, a silver Etios, and a charcoal Starlet.
The situation escalated when the suspects allegedly initiated gunfire directed at the police. Officers immediately returned fire on Andrew Mapeto Drive, adjacent to a bus stop in the Sebenza area.
Following the exchange of gunfire, six suspects were shot. Three individuals sustained serious injuries and were transported to a hospital for emergency treatment, while the other three sustained non-serious injuries and were also taken to a medical facility. An additional suspect was apprehended at the scene without sustaining any injuries.
No police members were injured during the operation, though state vehicles sustained damage during the confrontation. A subsequent search of the crime scene yielded a significant cache of weapons and ammunition. Recovered items included one AK-47 rifle, one R4 rifle, and two pistols, along with magazines, 75 live rounds of rifle ammunition, and 34 live rounds of pistol ammunition.
Ekurhuleni District Commissioner, Major General Anna Sithole, commended the law enforcement members for their swift response in effecting the arrests and ensuring safety in the Ekurhuleni District. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities process the crime scene and prepare charges for the apprehended suspects.
