A dramatic shootout between police and suspected robbers has gripped South Africans after a video of the incident went viral on social media.
The 1-minute-50-second clip shows a tense standoff as police respond to armed suspects attempting to evade capture.
In the footage, a gang of suspects is seen sprinting towards a shack, possibly trying to take cover.
Moments later, three SAPS vans arrive on the scene in quick succession, setting off a chaotic gunfight. The suspects fire shots from the shack while the police scramble for cover on the ground, returning fire.
Backup soon arrives, with additional officers advancing from the opposite side of the shack, creating a pincer movement. However, the suspects maintain a fierce resistance, forcing the officers to remain under cover as bullets fly.
The video ends abruptly, leaving viewers questioning whether the suspects were apprehended or managed to escape. SAPS has yet to release an official statement on the outcome of the operation or provide details on injuries or arrests.
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The intense clip has sparked widespread reactions online, with many commending the bravery of the police officers while others expressed concern about the brazen nature of criminal activity.
The location and exact timing of the shootout remain unclear but social media reports suggest it happened in Port Elizabeth.
Watch the video below:
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