Eight suspected criminals, allegedly preparing for a cash-in-transit heist, were killed in a shoot-out with police on Monday night in Town Two, Khayelitsha.
Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa reported that a multidisciplinary team, consisting of members from the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks), intelligence operatives, Special Task Force members, and security company officials, was following up on critical information regarding a possible cash-in-transit robbery.
“As the team approached the suspects, the would-be robbers started firing shots at police who retaliated. As a consequence eight suspects were shot dead and five were arrested,”
stated Potelwa.
During the operation, police seized seven AK-47 rifles, two R5 rifles, four other types of firearms, three improvised explosive devices, and numerous magazines loaded with rounds of ammunition. The Hawks are continuing their investigation into the matter.
The five arrested suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
Eastern Cape Cash-in-Transit Heist Results in Five Deaths
In a separate incident last week, five suspected cash-in-transit robbers were killed in a shoot-out with police just hours after executing a heist on an armoured vehicle in the Eastern Cape.
This incident occurred on the N6. The Hawks reported that the SBV armoured vehicle was traveling from East London to Stutterheim when it was ambushed by armed robbers in a convoy of vehicles. The robbers made off with an undisclosed amount of money.
Acting on received information, police located the suspects at a homestead in Keiskammahoek. Upon arrival, the police were met with a hail of bullets and retaliated, resulting in the deaths of five suspects. The stolen money was recovered by the police.
Both incidents underscore the ongoing battle between law enforcement and criminal elements targeting cash-in-transit operations in South Africa. The authorities’ swift action and decisive responses highlight the critical efforts being made to thwart these high-stakes crimes and ensure public safety.
