Emalahleni (Witbank) – Police and private security officers shot dead five alleged cash-in-transit robbers in a shootout on Wednesday in Mpumalanga, Tasbet Park suburb in Emalahleni.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the deadly shootout occurred before midday, (3 April 2024).
Narrating events leading to the exchange of gunfire, Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said: “The team received information that CIT [Cash In Transit] robbery suspects were driving to Mpumalanga.
“Information was also received about an attempted CIT robbery that had just occurred in Witbank.”
Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said the team comprising police units and private security officers followed the suspects to a safe house at Tasbet Park.
“While approaching the house, the suspects who were already dispersing, driving in a Toyota Quantum, saw the police and started shooting,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“The police and private security officers retaliated and five suspects were declared dead at the scene, eight others were arrested while about nine managed to flee the scene.”
Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said the team recovered several guns and stolen cars that included:
- Five rifles (3x AK47, 1x AR 15, and 1x R5),
- Two pistols, and
- Three vehicles reported hijacked from Jeppe (Mazda CX5), Yeoville (Audi Q5), and Rabie Ridge (Haval)
- A Mazda CX5 that had its engine number tampered with
The eight arrested suspects will be charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of prohibited and unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as other CIT-related offences.
In a separate incident, earlier on Wednesday, police fatally shot nine crime suspects in Mariannhill, KwaZulu-Natal.
RELATED: Mariannhill Bloodbath: 9 Suspects Dead After Shootout With Police – The Bulrushes
The high number of suspects killed by the police has raised eyebrows in some quarters, especially because only three guns were recovered from the scene.
