By Kopano Dibakwane
Five suspects were reportedly shot dead during a gun battle with the police while seven others were arrested for attempted cash-in-transit(CIT) robbery, attempted murder, possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition, as well as possession of suspected stolen vehicles.
The suspects reportedly attempted to rob a Fidelity CIT van that was travelling along Langenhoven street in Witbank, on 3 April 2024.
According to Mpumalanga spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, a maroon Haval H2 rammed into the vehicle that was escorting the cash van, but the driver managed to evade the attack while the suspects fled the scene.
Sekgotodi said that information was received regarding the whereabouts of the suspects, which subsequently led to a safehouse where the suspects were reportedly hiding.
“ Three vehicles(a Toyota Quantum minibus, Nissan Juke SUV and Hyundai H1) were spotted leaving the safehouse. The team tried to stop the vehicles but the occupants opened fire on the members who returned fire, fatally wounding five suspects and arrested seven respectively,” said Sekgotodi.
She said that the law enforcement team proceeded to the safehouse whereby several vehicles, which were reportedly stolen, were discovered. Sekgotodi added that six unlicensed AK-47 rifles and ammunition were also found during the search.
“ The seven suspects were remanded in custody by the Witbank District Court on Monday 22 April 2024. The case was postponed to Friday 26 April 2024 for further bail application,” said Sekgotodi.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General-Nicholas Gerber, said that all the available resources will be used effectively to deal with CIT robberies and the brazen violent attacks on security cash vans.
Sekgotodi said that the law enforcement team that executed the arrest of the suspects included; CounterIntelligence Investigations from the South African Police Service(SAPS) Head Office, SAPS Gauteng TRT, SAPS Anti-Gang Unit from Gauteng Province, SAPS Middleburg Flying Squad, CAP Specialised Operations, SAPS DPCI Gauteng Task Team, Fidelity Specialised Services and Tracker Connect from Gauteng and Mpumalanga Provinces.
The seven suspects who were remanded in custody were reportedly identified as Tebogo Molefi Ntechane Letsapa(40), Sabatha Rodney Manyaka(31), Siboniso Sithole(32), Zweli Welcome Sithole(45), Benny Nyambeni Mudau(42), Khulekani Joilit Zwane(45) and Goodwill Njabulo Mkhize(30).
