Pretoria - Police have sent a strong message to criminals that crime will not be tolerated after six armed robbers were killed during a cash-in-transit heist.
Six heavily armed men were killed by members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) during a gun battle that ensued after they attempted to rob a Coin Security van that was transporting cash outside Pretoria on Monday.
Speaking to BuaNews on Tuesday, police spokesperson Director Sally de Beer said it was "victory" for the country, adding that the incident has sent a strong warning to criminals that police will take no prisoners to curb crime.
She said a shoot-out occurred in Kameelsdrift outside Pretoria, about midday, after security guards noticed two suspicious vehicles approaching the van.
"Security guards, who were driving the van, informed our office and we then deployed our special task force and members of the police air wing, who quickly attended to the call.
"When our members arrived on the scene, the robbers started firing bullets towards the security van. The police then retaliated and a shoot-out ensued as robbers shot at the police.
"All six suspects were killed on the scene and one of our members was shot on both legs but is in a stable condition," said Director de Beer.
The police recovered two motor vehicles, which were reported stolen in Boksburg, three R5 rifles, four pistols and one pump action shot gun.
Director de Beer told BuaNews that National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele has commended police officers for their outstanding job, adding that this was a message to other criminals that police will deal with criminals accordingly.
Cele has recently vowed that police are set to make the lives of criminals miserable, adding that "police will not be running around kissing crime but will do everything in their power to eliminate criminals."
