National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has commended the police officers who foiled and intercepted a gang that was about to commit a cash in transit (CIT) robbery in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday.
The heavily armed gang was intercepted in Vrede, Free State.
According to police, officials were following up on intelligence received of a planned CIT when a shootout ensued between police and members of a private security company.
A 40-year-old security officer was shot and killed when the suspects who were travelling in a Dodge sedan opened fire. A shootout ensued and the Dodge overturned. It was later discovered that it was hijacked in Wierdabrug, Centurion.
At the scene, two suspects were injured and arrested. Police recovered an AK47 and an R5 with more than 240 rounds of high calibre ammunition.
Another group of suspects were intercepted in Memela about 52km from Vrede. Three suspects were arrested however some got away. A manhunt has since been launched for those who fled the scene. At this scene, two Mercedes Benz sedans were recovered and one has already been detected as stolen.
General Masemola said safer festive season operations are in full swing.
“Our members are on high alert to prevent and combat incidents of serious and violent crime especially aggravated robberies. We will continue to trace these wanted criminals, it’s them and us and this is a fight we are not willing to lose.
“We have heightened our operations and are intensifying them throughout the country,” said General Masemola. – SAnews.gov.za
