Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene commended the outstanding efforts of the Provincial Crime Intelligence and the National Intervention Unit (NIU) in Mthatha in apprehending seven suspects believed to have travelled to the Eastern Cape to commit cash-in-transit robberies.
It is alleged that police received information that the suspects were in the Eastern Cape travelling in a Toyota Quantum. The movement of the vehicle was closely monitored and on 21 February 2024 at about 13:00, seven suspects, aged between 42 and 58 years old were arrested in Centane
Investigators are busy probing their possible involvement to other cases in the Eastern Cape. One suspect, 43 years old was wanted for a theft of motor vehicle case in Butterworth and is possibly linked to another cash-in-transit in Mthatha in June 2023. Another suspect aged 47 years old was out on bail for a cash in transit robbery committed in Tsolo in October 2018.
A commercial explosive, a white Foton vehicle and 10 cellphones were confiscated.
The suspects are detained on a charge of possession of explosives. Additional charges may be added as the investigation unfolds
They are expected to appear in court soon.
Lt Gen Mene extended her gratitude and applauded the excellent work of the team. “Through collaborative efforts and timely intelligence gathering, our police officers were able to pre-emptively disrupt and dismantle this criminal network. The vigilance and professionalism of crime intelligence officers are instrumental in our ongoing efforts to combat organized crime. We reassure the Eastern Cape citizens that we will remain steadfast in our resolve to maintain law and order, and we urge anyone with information related to criminal activities to come forward and assist us in our pursuit of justice. We will be working closely with other Provinces to establish possible links to cash in transit robberies,” added Lt Gen Mene.