Eighteen suspects were shot and killed during a shootout with South African police in the Limpopo province in Makhado, police said on Friday.

The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, the National Head of the HAWKS , Lt Gen Lebeya and the Deputy National Commissioner of policing are on their way to the crime scene.

It is understood the suspects were shot and killed in the shootout with police officers following a cash in transit heist.

More details to follow.