The damaged cash-in-transit truck after a robbery and shootout in Verulam.
Image: Reaction Unit South Africa
TWO suspects believed to be linked to the cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery in Verulam yesterday were killed following a shootout with police on Tuesday morning.
Colonel Robert Netshiunda, a provincial police spokesperson, said at least 12 suspects robbed the CIT vehicle at the corner of Jabu Ngcobo and Fairview roads in Verulam on Monday afternoon.
“The suspects brought the cash delivery truck to a standstill and allegedly robbed security guards of their three firearms before fleeing the scene with an undisclosed amount of money.”
Netshiunda said police gathered intelligence just after midnight on Tuesday that some suspects involved in the CIT robbery were hiding in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg.
“The intelligence was put into operation and when police arrived at the house in which the suspects were hiding, a shootout ensued between police and the suspects. Two suspects were shot and fatally wounded during the shootout and one suspect narrowly evaded arrest."
Police found three firearms - two rifles and a handgun - along with several rounds of ammunition in the suspects' possession.
"A VW Polo which was allegedly used in the commission of the robbery was also found at the scene. A bakkie with numerous number plates was found in the garage."
Netshiunda added that no police officers were injured during the shootout, and the search for the other suspects was ongoing.
Meanwhile, Prem Balram, the head of the Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), said their reaction officers found themselves embroiled in an intense gun battle with alleged CIT robbery suspects on Monday.
He said their operations centre received multiple calls from members of the public reporting a robbery in progress.
“Reaction officers were immediately dispatched and, while responding, encountered alleged spotters armed with high-calibre rifles. A shootout ensued during which someone shot at a response vehicle twice. The suspects fled the scene in two vehicles travelling toward Inanda. Fortunately, no reaction officers were injured during the incident.”
Balram said the Rusa helicopter was immediately deployed to search for the suspects from the air.
He said during the operation, the crew observed a female member of the public waving and directing attention toward a nearby farm.
“The aircraft descended and conducted a low-level flight before landing in a mint farm. The pilot and crew disembarked and searched the surrounding area. During the search, one rifle and two 9mm pistols believed to have been discarded by the fleeing suspects were recovered.”