By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A group of suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers were killed in a police shootout in Germiston, in the East Rand on Saturday morning.
Fullview understands the shoot-out happened when police approached the suspected robbers as they attempted to rob the CIT vehicle.
SAPS national spokersperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said, “Six Cash-In-Transit armed robbers have been fatally wounded following a shoot-out with police in Germiston.”
Mathe said, “An AK 47 rifle, four handguns and the cash trolley have been recovered. The vehicle that the suspects were using has been identified as stolen in Brooklyn,”
Last week police minister Senzo Mchunu revealed that the number of cash-in-transit (CIT) heists in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng are still a concern.
Mchunu announced the quarterly crime statistics which reflect on crimes that occurred during the last quarter of the previous financial year (1 January 2024 – 31 March 2024) as well as the first quarter.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said “information was received regarding a cross pavement [robbery] that was going to take place in the Germiston CBD area”.
A multi-disciplinary team was deployed to the area in response to the tip-off.
“As the members approached the area, [an alert] was received [to look out] for an armed robbery at the Top Bets where G4S was robbed,” Mogale said.
Officers started searching for the robbers’ vehicle and when they spotted it, they attempted to stop the occupants.
“They immediately started shooting at the members. Members returned fire, and the suspects [lost control of the vehicle], crashing into a pole. Six suspects were fatally wounded and another suspect injured,” Mogale said.
In a separate incident, Gauteng police have shot and killed two suspected robbers following a shoot-out in Brackendowns, Alberton on Friday.
Police were following up on information regarding the vehicle the suspects were travelling in. After releasing they were being followed, the suspects opened fire, resulting in a shoot-out with police.
“A shootout ensued when police returned fire, fatally wounding the two suspects in the vehicle which was affixed with false registration plates,” said Mogale.
“The suspects’ vehicle continued to flee, but they drove into a ditch. An investigation is underway to ascertain if the suspects were involved in other aggravating robberies in and around Johannesburg,”
Two unlicensed firearms, a rifle and a handgun, ammunition, cellphones, and gloves were recovered.