The case against four men charged with the robbery of a store in Surrey Estate, Cape Town, which resulted in a bloody shoot-out with police on Monday, has been postponed. The suspects are alleged to have been part of a gang of robbers who held up the Primrose Markette.

Three gunmen were killed in a battle with police as they attempted to flee the scene. The four, aged between 32 and 39, appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. They face charges of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery.

Robbers attempted to escape with R20 000 from the Surrey Estate business when they were met by a police convoy at about 21:00 on Monday night. Officers had been following the vehicle the suspects were travelling in as it was reported stolen.

Three of the suspects died in the ensuing shoot-out, while a policeman and a customer were hit as shots rang out at the corner of Orion and Ruimte roads. Two firearms – an R5 assault rifle and a 9mm Beretta – were seized on the scene, as well as two hijacked vehicles.

The case has been postponed to Wednesday, June 17 for legal representation. News24