Suspect killed in Lenasia shootout one of the masterminds linked to ATM bombing syndicate - police

JOHANNESBURG - The suspect who was shot and killed during a shootout with police in the south of Johannesburg was one of the masterminds connected to several ATM bombings in the country.

Police said there were three leaders in charge of the bombing operation that they managed to stop in Lenasia on Thursday.

Deputy national police commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, claimed that they had been searching for this group linked to other cases in Gauteng and other neighbouring provinces.

"This is a syndicate that is operating cross-border. Most of them are from Lesotho. We also have one from Welkom that is most probably the one dealing with explosives. And then we also have others like the one is from Lawley, here in Lenasia. So, it's a group that is operating nationally."

Four of the suspects were arrested and five are on the run.