Two cash-in-transit heist within two weeks

Two cash-in-transit heists were reported to Katlehong police within a period of two weeks.

The first case was reported to have taken place on October 29 around 11am at the Caltex Garage at Moleleki Section while the second case took place at Tshongweni Section on November 10 around 7am.

This happened a few days after the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, announced the police’s success in combating cash-in-transit heists.

In his report, Cele said the cases of similar crimes reported have decreased to 118 this year compared to 184 cases that were reported last year.

In addition to his statement, Cele said the police arrested 237 people in connection with the crime and that there are police connected to some of the crimes that were undergoing investigation and that they were going to be arrested soon.

Cele’s statement raised hope for most road users as their lives were at risk when these heists take place. But the recent two incidents in Katlehong gave people little faith in the police’s ability to combat the crimes.

One eyewitness of the second heist where a Fidelity Guard van was bombed told Kathorus MAIL he was nearly hit by a stray bullet.

“I was standing outside my house in the yard, but I immediately ran into the house when the shoot-out between the security guards and suspects began. The gunfight continued while I was inside the house, lying on the floor with my children,” he said.

“Maybe visible policing could have stopped the heist as it happened in one of the crime hotspots in the area.”

In both heists, the suspects got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

Communications officer at Katlehong Police Station Capt Mega Ndobe said people must not lose hope in the men in blue as in both incidents police put their lives on the line.

“No injuries were reported in the first heist in Moleleki Section but in the second robbery, one JMPD officer was reportedly injured and rushed to hospital.

“Fortunately, on November 3, the Provincial Task Team and Mpumalanga Task Team made seven successful arrests on Tshwane Street in Vosloorus pertaining to the first heist. Police recovered a VW Amarok (that was spotted in CCTV footage to have been used during the first heist), a Toyota Conquest, an AK47 and magazine, a Strike 12 gauge shotgun, three 9mm pistols (serial numbers filed off), one R5 (empty magazine), 98 live ammunition of different calibres, three pairs of gloves and three balaclavas,” said Ndobe.

The arrested suspects are 60, 48, 41, 32, 42, 27 and 34 years of age.

Suspects face charges of possession of prohibited firearms and ammunitions, possession of stolen motor vehicle and armed robbery.

Suspects on the second case are still on the run.