Heist suspects shot dead
Two of 11 suspects wounded and in hospital under police guard, 6 arrested after tip-off
POLICE pounced on a group of suspected cash-in-transit robbers, killing three of them close to the Huguenot Tunnel in Paarl.
A joint multidisciplinary team – which included the Hawks’ National Priority Violent Crimes Unit, Crime Intelligence, Special Task Force and National Intervention Unit – intercepted the eleven suspects after they drove from the Eastern Cape.
Hawks spokesperson Philani Nkwalase said the team acted on information received about suspects allegedly involved in multiple cashin-transit heists in the Eastern Cape.
“They were intercepted while travelling on the N1 near Paarl, towards Cape Town on Tuesday afternoon.”
He said the occupants of the taxi allegedly fired at the team and the police returned fire, killing three and injuring two, who are under police guard in hospital, and arrested the rest. Police recovered an undisclosed amount of money. “Three of the suspects were fatally wounded and that incident is being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid). “Those arrested face charges of attempted murder (and) possession of suspected stolen property,” Nkwalase said.
Ipid Spokesperson, Sontaga Seisa said they were investigating the incident. “The identities and ages of the deceased are not yet known and the involved police members are yet to be identified.”
Last week, Nkwalase appealed to the public to come forward with information that would lead to the arrest of suspects linked to cash-in-transit heist.
He said three unknown suspects approached and disarmed the G4S crew member who stood guard at entrance of the fast food outlet at a petrol station in Epping, near Elsies River, at about 8am on February 11.
Anyone with information can contact the Hawks’ Investigating Officer, Sergeant Ludwe Mzana, at 082 559 4689.
Johan Burger from the Institute for Security Studies said despite recent high-profile arrests, cash-in-transit robberies remained a serious threat.