South African Minister of Police, Bheki Cele has confirmed that eight suspected cash-in-transit heist robbers have been killed in a shootout with police in Rosettenville this Monday afternoon, February 21.

[ON AIR] Police Minister Bheki Cele is in Rosettenville, Johannesburg where five suspected robbers were shot dead. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/r43pem7mTZ

— eNCA (@eNCA) February 21, 2022

Cele says four members of SAPS were wounded in total after the suspects shot at a police helicopter.

“The suspects killed today were hard-core criminals and had been under police surveillance since last week and were involved in cash-in-transit heist robberies in Dawn Park and other areas,” said Cele.

The incident occurred after members of the SAPS task team was involved in a shoot out between the suspects on their way to carry out a cash-in-transit heist.

Attempted #CITRobbery – Hekla Road, Rossetenville JHB. Four suspects shots dead, two critical. Two police chopper crew members injured… pic.twitter.com/qgss24GwIm

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) February 21, 2022

The minister says part of a group of 25 criminals were from KwaZulu-Natal, Botswana and mostly from Zimbabwe.  Eight suspects are dead, eight are in prison and nine are still on the run.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that a woman was allegedly held hostage but later released.

Voicenotes were making rounds on Community WhatsApp groups as residents were fearful of the incident.

More gunshots went off near the South Rand Hospital.

Cele says this cash-in-transit group is very dangerous and well-armed, with AK47’s. Their mission is to shoot and kill.

Police Minister Bheki Cele is in Rosettenville, Johannesburg where suspected hijackers have been killed. #DStv403 #SouthAfricaTonight pic.twitter.com/aQKBxV8Ozb

— eNCA (@eNCA) February 21, 2022