The residents said the nights of terror had become a regular occurrence in their area, to the extent that they're even scared to walk in the evening.

They have expressed their relief and gratitude to the cops after a recent nighttime confrontation with an alleged criminal.

A 62-year-old madala told Daily Sun that he heard gunshots at night and when he woke up, an alleged thug was shot dead, apparently by cops at Serope bridge on Klipgat Road on Wednesday, 11 October 2023, early in the morning.

The madala said they heard that the thug was shooting at the cops, and he was killed.

"We're happy that crime is being tackled in the area, hope those who still want to commit crimes will stop. It's difficult to tell what really happened because it was at night and we were scared to go out," he said.

Another resident, a 59-year-old woman, said the thugs even made them fear living in their own homes.

A 32-year-old man said he saw the alleged dead thug near the river.

The residents hoped that after the incident, they would be free in their kasi as the criminals did as they pleased.

Tshwane District police spokesman Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said a case of murder and attempted murder was opened.

He said the incident happened on Wednesday, 11 October, at about 4am on Klipgat Road in Mabopane extension, where a 30-year-old man died.

Van Dyk said the Specialized Law Enforcement Unit (SLEU) encountered the suspect, who then shot at the officers who were inside their car. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the suspect was fatally shot in the head, back, and leg.

He said a firearm with a filed-off serial number was found near the body. He said a total of 32 cartridges and 17 9mm pistol cartridges were found on the scene, and investigations continue.