Sergeant Kelebogile Moleko said police on Thursday responded to a tip-off that armed and balaclava-wearing men were seen hijacking a cigarette van outside a liquor store at Sidzumo Street.

“They allegedly robbed the victims of their cell phones and cash. The suspects then allegedly cut open the cash safe where they took an undisclosed amount of money, tied the victims with ropes and left them inside the van. The robbers then drove off in a BMW with Gauteng province registration numbers,” said Moleko.

She said the car was spotted in the north of Rustenburg travelling towards the city.

“On seeing the police, the suspects allegedly turned and drove back and that led to a chase. The suspects allegedly shot at the police who returned fire and the driver of the suspects’ getaway car was shot in the leg,” said Moleko.

She said the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree before coming to a halt outside a house in Geelhoutpark.

“The police managed to apprehend five suspects and recovered an undisclosed amount of cash as well as three cell phones. The suspects are facing charges of car-hijacking, robbery and attempted murder.”

The suspects are expected to appear in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane on Monday.

In another incident, police arrested two men for the possession of suspected stolen goods and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition on Friday.

Moleko said the suspects hijacked a cigarette delivery van after it left a depot in Rustenburg.

She said one of the suspects drove the hijacked van, while the others, including the hijacked driver, were in another vehicle.

The hijacked driver was taken to a house that was still under construction in Phokeng outside Rustenburg, where he was tied with a cable and left behind.

Police were alerted about the incident. They chased after the delivery van and arrested one of the suspects in Phokeng. A 9mm pistol with a loaded magazine and cigarettes were recovered.

“A further search resulted in the apprehension of another suspect driving a Toyota Quantum along R104 road in Rustenburg. They will be facing possession of suspected stolen goods and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.”

The two were expected to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

ANA