By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The M1 highway is Gauteng is closed to traffic while police continue to search for suspects linked to a shootout near the Booysens offramp yesterday.
Gauteng’s M1 highway is closed to traffic in both directions between Xavier Street and Booysens Road as South African Police Service forensics teams comb the scene for clues following a shootout between armed suspects and police on Wednesday night.
It is understood the CIT heist took place just after 5pm on Wednesday.
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department Xolani Fihla, said the SAPS is currently processing the scene.
“Traffic travelling on the M1 north is being diverted at Xavier Street while traffic travelling on the M1 south is being diverted at Booysens Road. Motorists are urged to be aware of the closures and to use alternative routes,” Fihla said.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said security guards had just picked up money from various outlets and were on their way back to their base when they were disarmed and the cash van bombed.
Mathe said the suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of money.
Gauteng police immediately operationalised information and maximum resources were mobilised. Vigilant members attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the Johannesburg Flying Squad traced the suspects at 20:20 on the M1 south just before the Booysens off-ramp.
“A shootout ensued with the suspects who were travelling in a Toyota Quantum. One suspect was certified dead at the scene while two others were apprehended. Three rifles were recovered, cash and two cellphones have been seized,” Mathe said.
Mathe said two empty cash bags, as well as equipment used in armed robberies, were found in their getaway vehicle.
She said a manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects.
Acting national commissioner Tebello Mosikili sai police remain ready to takedown syndicates.
“We continue to deal decisively with serious and violent crime in various provinces, we continue to take down syndicates and groups involved in these crimes, either they surrender or we will continue to hunt and take them down.”
At the same time, Mathe said the police arrested 10 158 suspects for various crimes ranging from murder and armed robberies in the past week.