Sebokeng – Police have shot dead at least eight cash-in-transit heist suspects in Sebokeng, Gauteng.
“Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Tactical Response Team (TRT) were following up on crime intelligence-driven information relating to suspects who were on their way to commit a CIT robbery, this morning after 06:00,” said Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the SAPS national spokesperson.
The suspects were engaged in a shootout with police Thursday morning before they met their demise.
“A total of eight suspects were certified dead at the scene while the ninth suspect died in hospital. Three others were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment,” said Brigadier Mathe.
“Six rifle’s, six commercial explosives that were already assembled and ready to be detonated as well as four vehicle’s have been seized.
“Members of the Explosives Unit have rendered the recovered explosives safe in the interest of the community.”
Later, Police Minister General Bheki Cele, visited the scene, where he suggested the suspects could be linked to recent cash-in-transit heists in the area.
General Cele said the police acted on intelligence that led them to a house owned by a parolee, where the shootout occurred.
At least three late-model vehicles including a BMW X5, and a Mercedes-Benz ML were found at the house.
General Cele said he was confident that police are making serious inroads in the fight against serious and violent crime.
“If they come hard on us, we come harder on them, it’s them and us on behalf of the community. We can’t co-govern, we can’t rule with criminals. We are asserting the authority of the state on behalf of our communities,” said General Cele.
He said the police were on high alert across the country ahead of the busy Easter weekend.
Law-abiding citizens are urged to be extra vigilant and continue to report wrongdoing and criminality to the crime stop number on 0860010111.
