The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Khehla John Sitole has commended the multi-disciplinary team responsible for the arrest of eight suspects linked to cash-in-transit robberies before they could commit any crime.
Yesterday, 14 November 2018; the multi-disciplinary task team comprising of Crime Intelligence, Tracking Teams, SAPS Airwing and Magma Investigations conducted a crime intelligence led tactical operation in Kroondal near Rustenburg, North West. The suspects were traced to a safe house and on realising that they were cornered by the team, they fled in four vehicles. The team gave chase and swiftly arrested eight suspects aged between 33 and 42. During the arrest, the police seized four vehicles, two sedans, a SUV and a minibus and an assault rifle with rounds of ammunition. The team is tracing the suspects that managed to evade arrest.
The National Commissioner has commended the continuous thwarting of planned CIT robberies and the arrest of suspects before they could carry out their brazen attacks. “The communities have now acknowledged the 72-Hour Activation Plan that is without fail continuing to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams across the country to respond to violent crimes”, said General Sitole who went on to say that CIT robberies and other violent crimes seek to instil fear in our communities. That, taking away the citizens’ right to be and feel safe as stipulated in the National Development Plan.
The suspects will possibly face charges including conspiracy to commit armed robbery, possession of prohibited firearm and ammunition and possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles. The case has been transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation for further investigation.
