Elite police units foil cash-in-transit heist

22 Feb 2011

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Bheki Cele, has today lauded elite police units for foiling a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist this morning at approximately 09h30 in the north of Pretoria. "A gang of nine heavily armed men attempted to rob an assets-in-transit vehicle on Tuesday morning, but members of our elite policing units acting immediately on intelligence received, confronted them with the intent to effect arrests. These thugs, who had already shot on the CIT vehicle, decided to open fire on our officers, resulting in a shoot-out," said General Cele.

The confrontation between real-life cops and robbers took place on the Rooivaal Road on the bridge above the Apies River and resulted in three (3) alleged robbers being fatally wounded, two (2) wounded and a further four (4) being taken into custody unharmed.

"Fortunately no police officials or security guards were wounded in this clash which once again proves that our police members have the capacity, manpower and firepower to counter any threat to public safety," add Cele. The police units involved in foiling this crime include the special task force, the national intervention unit, the hawks and the South African Police Service (SAPS) Air Wing.

Four motor vehicles and a number of firearms have so far been seized by police, who are still busy on the scene. Further investigations will reveal the identities of all involved and whether they can be linked to other crimes.

"This success can, inter alia, be attributed to improved training particularly in the intelligence and investigative environment of the SAPS", said General Cele. "This is in line with the President's State of the Nation address in which he alluded to the police's successes in combating armed robberies and the seizure of firearms, as well as to improving the capacity and effectiveness of the police in the detective services and crime intelligence."

Enquiries:
Major General Nonkululeko Mbatha
Cell: 083 645 6252

Brigadier Sally de Beer
Cell: 082 779 8658



Colonel Vishnu Naidoo


Cell: 082 567 4153

Source: South African Police Service