Kwa-Thema: Law enforcement officers foiled yet another cash-in-transit robbery as three suspects were fatally wounded during a shootout with the police and private security companies in Kwa-Thema. Three other suspects were arrested, and police recovered two rifles, a pistol, and magazines loaded with scores of ammunition.
According to South African Police Service, police crime intelligence members received information about a group of suspects planning to commit a cash-in-transit robbery and that they were to meet at a safe house in Kwa-Thema. A team of law enforcement agencies, including the SAPS Gauteng Tactical Response Team, SAPS Anti-Gang Unit, SAPS Crime Detection, SAPS Counter Intelligence, SAPS GP Crime Intelligence CIT Team, Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, CAP Specialised Operations, and Tracker Connect, were activated to intercept the suspects.
As the team pounced on the suspects at their safe house in Kwa-Thema, Ekurhuleni, the suspects shot at the police, resulting in a shootout. Two suspects we
re fatally shot at the safe house, and the third suspect was fatally shot a few meters away, while about six others escaped. Police recovered two rifles, including an AK-47, a pistol, and magazines loaded with ammunition. Two Toyota Hilux bakkies used by the suspects were seized, one of which, fitted with false registration plates, is reported to have been hijacked in Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga Province.
The search is underway for the suspects who are still at large. The arrested suspects are facing charges that include attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, and conspiracy to commit cash-in-transit robbery.