A Hawks steered operation foiled the plans of six men who were allegedly in the midst of planning a cash-in-transit robbery on Thursday morning near Phuthaditjhaba, Free State.
The Hawks’ Pietermaritzburg Serious Organised Investigation team assisted by Crime Intelligence, the Special Task Force, Dog Unit and other special units, intercepted six suspects who were allegedly conspiring to commit a cash-in-transit robbery.
The suspects were observed near Kestell travelling in two different vehicles. The integrated team confronted the suspects resulting in a shootout. Five suspects aged between 32 and 42 were arrested whilst one succumbed to gunshot wounds. Two high calibre rifles, three pistols and the two suspected stolen vehicles were seized.
The five suspects swiftly appeared at the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court the same day (Thursday) because of security considerations. For the moment the five suspects who cannot be named at this stage for safety reasons have been charged with attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles. More charges are expected.
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has commended the swift reaction by the members as well as the continuous averting of planned CIT robberies and the arrest of suspects before they could carry out their brazen attacks.