Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

Two men, included a gang leader wanted for a string of murders, have been killed in a shootout with Limpopo police.

"The suspect, Johannes Dube, was wanted for the murder of two police members, a member of the SANDF, a tuck shop owner as well as several cases of armed robbery," Superintendent Ronel Otto said in a statement on Wednesday.

On Tuesday night, police were tipped-off that Dube and another man were at a house in Embalenhle outside Secunda. Police surrounded the house and a shootout ensued.

"Warning shots were fired and they were ordered to surrender, but the suspects continued shooting at the police. Members retaliated and two suspects were shot dead."

Dube was the leader of a gang that had terrorised the Mahwelereng, Magatle and Zebediela areas since May 31.

The other man who was killed was believed to have been involved in the tuck shop owner's murder.

On May 31, Dube hijacked SA National Defence Force Lieutenant Colonel FM Kubjana while travelling from Polokwane to Pretoria.

A report was made to police that a someone driving a silver grey vehicle was seen dumping a body next to a river at Mahwelereng.

The victim had a gunshot wound to the head and at first could not be identified. The next day, Mahwelereng police on a routine patrol spotted Kubjana's car at a garage.

When they approached the car they were shot at by people in another vehicle also parked at the garage.

"Constable Geoffrey Sithomola died on the scene and Constable John Kekana was admitted to hospital with a serious bullet wound to the stomach.

"He has since been released and is recuperating at home."

On June 2, an abandoned vehicle was found. It belonged to Siyabuswa police officer Captain MS Masango. Masango could not be found and was reported missing.

A police task team set up to investigate arrested four suspects in connection with his murder.

"Following their arrest, the body of Captain Masango was found in the bush near Magatle where it was dumped after he was killed."

The four arrested have appeared in court several times and are still in custody.

"The task team soon realised that the kingpin behind the gang was still not arrested."

Dube also committed four armed robberies in the Zebediela area.

Last Thursday, during an armed robbery carried out by Dube and two accomplices, the female owner of a tuckshop was shot and later died in hospital. One man was arrested, but Dube and an accomplice got away.

On Tuesday evening police received information about Dube's whereabouts. After the shootout a 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off was recovered.

"The origin of the firearm is being investigated."

The province's deputy provincial commissioner Bennie Ntlemeza said: "This is a testimony that police in the province will not tolerate any lawlessness."