Armed suspects who detonated a cash-in-transit vehicle in Springs on the East Rand only had the money for three hours before Gauteng police tracked them down on the M1 freeway.
According to police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe, the incident occurred at 5 p.m. on Wednesday when armed suspects forced a cash truck to a halt.
“The security guards had just picked up money from various outlets and were on their way back to their base when they were disarmed, and the cash van was bombed. The suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of money,” she said.
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She stated that police swiftly operationalized information and mobilized all available resources.
The suspects were apprehended at 8 p.m. on the M1 south, just before the Booysens off-ramp, by vigilant members from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the Johannesburg Flying Squad.
According to her, a shootout erupted with the suspects, who were traveling in a Toyota Quantum. One suspect was pronounced dead on the scene, while two others were captured. Three rifles were discovered, as well as cash and two telephones.
“Two empty cash bags, and implements used in armed robberies were found in their getaway vehicle. A manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects,” she said.
A police officer was shot and is being treated at the hospital. Lt-Gen Tebello Mosikili, acting national police commissioner, praised Gauteng police for their quick response. She stated that police are on high alert and ready to go after syndicates.
“Well done to the team for the swift reaction, we continue to deal decisively with serious and violent crime in various provinces, and we continue to take down syndicates and groups involved in these crimes.
“Either they surrender or we will continue to hunt and take them down. A speedy recovery to our member who is in hospital”, she said.
Xolani Fihla, a spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, said that the M1 highway was closed in both directions early Thursday.
“The M1 is blocked off in both directions between Xavier Street and Booysens Road due to a crime scene. Traffic traveling on the M1 North is being diverted at Xavier Street and traffic traveling on the M1 South is being diverted at Booysens Road,” he said.
