Gauteng police successfully thwarted a cash-in-transit robbery in Kwa-Thema, Ekurhuleni, on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of three suspects during a shootout.

Police confirmed that three additional suspects were arrested, and two rifles, a pistol, and magazines loaded with ammunition were recovered.

According to Gauteng Provincial SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, crime intelligence had received information about a group planning to commit a cash-in-transit robbery. The suspects were reportedly meeting at a safe house in Kwa-Thema.

A multi-agency team, including the SAPS Gauteng Tactical Response Team, Anti-Gang Unit, Crime Detection, Counter Intelligence, and others, was activated to intercept the suspects.

As the team approached the safe house, the suspects opened fire, leading to a shootout. Two suspects were fatally shot at the safe house, while a third was killed a few meters away. Six other suspects managed to escape.

“Two suspects were fatally shot at the safe house, and the third suspect was fatally shot a few meters away, while about six others escaped. Police recovered two rifles, including an AK-47, a pistol, and magazines loaded with ammunition,” said Masondo.

Police seized two Toyota Hilux bakkies used by the suspects, one of which was fitted with false registration plates and reported hijacked in Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga.

Masondo stated that a search is ongoing for the suspects still at large. The arrested individuals face charges including attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, and conspiracy to commit cash-in-transit robbery.

In a related incident, two female bank employees, aged 36, along with two other suspects aged 26 and 33, are expected to appear before Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on Monday for their alleged involvement in a bank robbery.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the bank employees colluded with the suspects during the robbery, which resulted in the theft of over R3 million at Ivory Park Mall on November 27.

Following the robbery, a dedicated team of Gauteng police detectives, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), and members from police crime intelligence and Gauteng Highway Patrol was established to trace and apprehend the suspects.

Within 48 hours, information about possible suspects and getaway vehicles was gathered, leading police to Rosslyn in Tshwane, where the first suspect was arrested on November 29.

The investigation continued to Ga-Rankuwa, where the second suspect, identified as the kingpin, was tracked down and arrested. He was found in possession of bank envelopes containing clients’ bank cards allegedly taken during the robbery, along with a VW Golf reported hijacked in Pretoria North.

On November 30, police arrested the first bank employee while she was still at work, and the second employee was apprehended in Midrand on the same day.

Masondo confirmed that the search for additional suspects is ongoing, and the arrested individuals will face charges including business robbery, possession of hijacked vehicles, and possession of stolen property.

The Star

ntombi.nkosi@inl.co.za