The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Khehla John Sitole has commended the dedicated team for their unrelenting efforts in tracking and arresting a further five suspects in connection with last night’s CIT robbery outside Umtata.
The latest arrests comes after two others were arrested on Monday evening within hours after they are alleged to have committed the Cash-in-Transit robbery. As part of the 72 hour Activation Plan various policing units which is inclusive of the SAPS tracking teams were mobilised. The tracking team thereafter acting on a tip-off from Crime Intelligence managed to trace and apprehend five suspects near the Nigel off-ramp in Gauteng.
They were found to be driving a Toyota Hilux Bakkie with false number plates. During a search of the vehicle, a false compartment was discovered where an undisclosed amount of money, three rifles including two AK47’ rifles, magazines and rounds of ammunition were found.
During the heist on Monday evening, the suspects who were traveling in a bakkie (light delivery vehicle), shot at the security vehicle bringing it to a halt. They then disarmed the three security guards, tied them up and forced open the safe, removing an undisclosed amount of money. The robbery also claimed the life of an innocent motorist and left another motorist narrowly escaping death after also being shot.
General Sitole has commended the members for their swift action citing that the 72 hour Activation Plan has again proven to be very effective.
“The mobilisation of maximum expert resources within this short space of time is critical to an effective investigation process, especially with regards to information and evidence gathering”, said General Sitole
“This is what prevents ruthless perpetrators little or no opportunity to escape”, added General Sitole.
The arrest of these five suspects brings to seven the total number of suspects arrested in connection with the robbery outside Umtata.
Five more arrested for Eastern Cape robbery https://t.co/7MoYuHzC3d #ArriveAlive #CashInTransitRobbery pic.twitter.com/A4v5amdWDX
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 3, 2018