Sixteen men and two females part of a group of cash-in-transit (CIT) heist suspects were declared dead on the scene of a shootout with Limpopo police earlier this afternoon.

The national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, says police have ‘broken the back’ of a syndicate possibly responsible for a number of CIT heists in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe explains various units within the SAPS have been observing a group of suspects who were allegedly planning a CIT heist in Limpopo.

“The observation was made for a number of days before they pounced on an identified address in Makhado today,” her statement reads.

Mathe adds the group of suspects began shooting as soon as police arrived, and police retaliated, injuring a senior police officer in the process.

“The officer, attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) was taken to hospital and is currently receiving medical care. A further four suspects were also arrested in Thohoyandou,” she adds.

Police seized 10 vehicles including several high-powered performance vehicles and seven automatic rifles.

Mathe adds various policing experts are still combing the scene.

Masemola led a delegation of senior police officers to the crime scene this afternoon and says police are clamping down on serious and violent crimes throughout the country.

“We continue to heighten police visibility throughout the country. Many thanks to the team who worked hard to stamp the authority of the state. We wish the injured member a speedy recovery. We do believe this syndicate has been involved in a number of CITs in this province, Mpumalanga and Gauteng,” Masemola explains.

The national head of the Hawks, Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, says today’s incident is a culmination of a major investigation that began as early as January.

“Limpopo and Mpumalanga joined forces in addressing the syndicate that was identified based on several follow ups that were made by the team. So indeed, we do believe we have the suspects that we have been following. Further investigations will continue to ascertain other crimes that the group may have perpetrated. A speedy recovery to the DPCI officer,” Lebeya concludes.