Staff Reporter.
SA Police Services (SAPS) on Monday shot and killed four suspected cash-in-transit robbers on the N4 between North West and Gauteng.
The shootout took place in Mmakau in the Bojanala District Municipality where three unlicensed firearms including a rifle were seized.
Police acted after receiving information about a group of suspects planning to commit a cash-in-transit robbery between North West and Gauteng.
Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale says the suspects vehicle was spotted on the N4.
“A high-speed chase and shootout ensued as soon as the suspects realised, they are about to be captured. The suspects lost control of their vehicle and collided with a fence.
“Four of the suspects were fatally wounded and three unlicensed firearms, two handguns as well as a rifle were recovered from the scene.”
The suspects are aged between 30 and 45-years-old.
The multi-disciplinary team – comprising the Hawks Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), Gauteng Traffic Saturation Unit, Gauteng Traffic Police Chopper, Badboyz Security, Tracker Connect, CAP Specialised Operations, FRS-Falcon Risk Solutions, SAPS PHO Crime Intelligence, SAPS Anti-Gang Unit and SAPS Gauteng Tactical Response Team – have been applauded for foiling the would-be cash in transit heist.
The latest spate of CIT robberies, across the country, has sparked concerns amongst those in the industry.
Although the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) arrested more than 600 alleged robbers in the first three months of the year, CIT heists continued to be a “thorn in the country’s economy,” according to Godfrey Lebeya, the chief of the Hawks, last month.
In spite of collaborations with organisations such as CITASA to increase security and engage in proactive measures, the robberies remained high.
“For the period under review, 27 arrests were made for CIT robberies while there were six convictions with combined sentences totalling 121 years.
“Most of the arrests relate to fraud, which accounts for 203 suspects, while money laundering amassed 48 suspects and 72 suspects were arrested for narcotics and endangered species.
“The remaining 288 suspects were arrested for the 17 types of national priority crimes, “Lebeya said.
Lebeya added that the Hawks arrested 611 suspects who appeared in court during the first quarter of the 2023-24 financial year. Of those who appeared in court, 229 were convicted and sentenced.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.