The determination and relentless efforts by the police to fight against incidents of cash-in-transit heists in the Province paid off when the most wanted suspect was apprehended and weapons confiscated. The police pounced on the suspect in the early hours of this morning during the Intelligence led Joint Tactical Operation comprising operatives derived from Crime Intelligence, the Provincial Tracking Team and the Provincial Investigation Unit. The suspect aged 39 is believed to have been part of a group of armed robbers who blew up the CS4 cash delivery vehicle along the R71 road near Gravellotte and took the money. All his accomplices are now known to the police and will be pursued until they are all caught.
During the operation that took place at a house at Bothashoek in the Tubatse Policing area outside Burgersfort, this kingpin was arrested and searched and the following were confiscated:
- R4 assault rifle.
- 03 R4 magazines.
- Police petro barreta 9mm pistol with magazine and 02 live rounds.
- 105 R4 live ammunition.
- Five (05) cellphones.
On 2017-08-01, the day of the armed robbery, the cash-intransit vehicle was travelling along R71 road between Tzaneen and Phalaborwa in the morning and was accosted by three vehicles with around 10 occupants.
The suspects then used explosive devises to blow up the vehicle and subsequently robbed an undisclosed amount of money. The three vehicles, a black BMW sedan, C200 Mercedes Benz and White ML Mercedes had unknown registration numbers.
Cases of armed robbery (cash-in-transit) and attempted murder were opened and the police investigations are still ongoing.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has commended this team of dedicated members for the sterling work. “The arrest of this criminal should send a clear message that crime does not pay. The remaining suspects do not have any other choice but to hand themselves in to the police as their days are numbered”, said General Ledwaba.
The suspect will appear before the Phalaborwa Magistrate Court soon.