BUSTED: Police intercept guns presumably smuggled for use in CIT heists
In addition to the rifles and ammunition, a Toyota Hilux double-cab bakkie was recovered.
KOMATIPOORT – Seven AK-47 rifles and 80 rounds of ammunition, believed to be destined for use in cash-in-transit robberies, were intercepted at the Lebombo border on Sunday. The police operation that led to this was called a huge victory by SAPS spokesman, Brig Vishnu Naidoo.
He explained how the arrest and interception came about. The police had received information about an illegal firearm shipment that would have taken place over the weekend. “It was planned to happen at the border near Komatipoort,” he told Lowvelder. Various disciplines of the SAPS were involved in the operation. This included units stationed in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
While smuggling the firearms and ammunition, two men were confronted by the police. The two reportedly admitted that they planned to sell the confiscated goods to a buyer in South Africa.
“This type and calibre of weapon are among those that are generally used to commit aggravated robberies such as cash-in-transit heists, vehicle hijackings and house and business robberies,” said Naidoo.
“In addition to the rifles and ammunition, a Toyota Hilux double-cab bakkie was recovered.”
One of the rifles was hidden against the exhaust system underneath the Hilux. According to Naidoo, the rifles and ammunition were sent for ballistic testing to the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory. Such tests are done to reveal whether the confiscated firearms have previously been used in criminal activity.
He called the arrests a “significant breakthrough in (the police’s) efforts to nip these categories of robberies in the bud.”
Many of these occurred in the Lowveld. This publication has reported on more than 10 serious incidents involving intense violence since January. The most recent incident was reported on Thursday.
Vehicles were set alight and R10 million was stolen. On September 12 Lowvelder reported that a guard was ambushed by six men in the second CIT heist of that week. In July a video of a cash-in-transit heist went viral after an eyewitness captured the crime on his cellphone while driving through the N4 Crocodile Gorge.
Taking into consideration the frequency and severity of crimes involving illegal firearms and ammunition, National Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Khehla Sitole welcomed Sunday’s arrests. “Combating the proliferation of arms and ammunition forms part of our six-pillar priorities during the festive season,” said General Sitole.
“Removing such firearms from our streets will certainly help to reduce the risk of these robberies being committed.” He urged South Africans to continue to support the police in their efforts to bring down the scourge of crime. “Together, we can do more,” he concluded.
The police’s six pillars consist of an effective criminal justice system, early intervention to prevent crime and violence and promote safety, victim support, effective integrated service delivery for safety, security and crime prevention, safety through environmental design as well as active public and community participation.
Naidoo confirmed that charges of smuggling and dealing in illegal firearms will be levelled against the two. At the time of going to press, they had not yet appeared in court and could therefore not be identified.
