Four men, two of whom were allegedly part of a cash-in-transit gang were shot and killed by the police and Road Traffic Inspectorate members. Two RTI officials were injured in the incident. The deadly shootout happened on 28 February on the R103, Hospital Hill, Estcourt, after the gang forced a cash-in-transit vehicle to stop. They then relieved the security personnel of the frearms before stealing from the vehicle. The men were unharmed in the incident.
While the vehicle was being robbed, RTI officials stopped at the scene and a shootout ensued. Colonel Robert Netshiunda, KwaZulu-Natal, SAPS Media Centre, said: “RTI officials retaliated, which had led to the officers sustaining injuries in the shootout.” The shoot-out between RTI sent the heavily armed gunmen to flee the scene of the crime. Two vehicles, which included the armed cash vehicle, were alight. Responding to the scene, SAPS Estcourt Highway Patrol officers managed
to corner four of the men. The suspects and police engaged in a shoot,
killing four.”
Netshiunda said that two AK47 assault rifles, an R5, a pallet gun and an undisclosed amount of money, suspected to have been robbed from the cash in transit vehicle, were found in possession of the suspects.
One of the suspect’s vehicles was reported to have been hijacked in Germiston, Gauteng, early in February. Police are still in pursuit of more suspects.
“CIT robberies are not only disrupting the flow of cash, but also causing major disruptions to the distribution of SASSA grants and access to ATMs for civilians,” added Netshiunda.
At the time of going to press, it was learned that the two RTI officials are in stable condition and recovering.
The police called on residents with any knowledge of cash-in-transit crimes to the SAPS on 10111 or CITASA at 083 462 7909.
