Four cash-in-transit (CIT) heist suspects and a security guard were killed during a shootout between them, Limpopo police and Hoedspruit Farmwatch on Wednesday.

Polokwane Review reported that the suspects allegedly attacked and robbed a CIT vehicle of an undisclosed amount of money, before fleeing in white SUVs and a bakkie.

According to provincial Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Matimba Maluleke, the suspects shot at the escort vehicle before disarming both guards – a driver and crew member – and taking their rifle and pistol, respectively.

“Unfortunately, the two guards were shot at,” he adds.

This resulted in the driver’s death, while the other guard was injured.

He says the suspects then pursued the armoured vehicle, shooting at it until it stopped. The guards were ordered to get out of the vehicle, their firearms were taken, and they were chased into nearby bushes.

“The suspects used explosives to blast the vehicle and made off with an undisclosed amount of money.”

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says Hoedspruit Farmwatch was mobilised, and a shootout ensued when the team attempted to stop the suspects.

Four suspects were fatally shot, and one was injured and arrested. The others evaded arrest by running into nearby bushes, he adds.

Their escape was, however, short-lived, says Ledwaba. An intense search by Hoedspruit Farmwatch and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation was launched and the suspects were arrested yesterday, while travelling to Acornhoek in a taxi. A chopper was used in the search.

Ledwaba says one of those arrested is a wanted Mozambican, who has been on the run for a spate of crimes he allegedly committed in the Free State in 2022, including the murder of a police officer.

“The injured suspects were found in possession of suspected stolen money, a rifle, and a pistol,” he adds.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe expressed her appreciation for the joint efforts of the Limpopo police and Hoedspruit Farmwatch.

“We will stop at nothing to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.”

She paid tribute to the guard who lost his life during the incident.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Hoedspruit Magistrate’s Court when they are released from hospital, where they are under police guard.

Explosion from CIT blast damages flat

Another CIT heist took place yesterday in The Hill in the south of Johannesburg. A nearby flat’s windows were shattered by the explosives used to access to the money.

CIT heist in The Hill pic.twitter.com/nM2kJJWul4

— Southern Courier SA (@courier_sa) September 21, 2023

Steve Dwarika, the owner of Guardian Angel Security, says six to eight suspects bombed and opened fire on the G4S cash van at about 15:00.

“The suspects forced the G4S guards out of the vehicle and disarmed them before detonating explosives to gain access to the cash in the safe,” he explains.

Dwarika says the suspects made off with an undisclosed amount of money. They were driving an Audi A4 and a white Mercedes-Benz.

“The white Audi triggered a camera at 15:01 on South Rand Road, heading towards the R59, and the Mercedes-Benz a few seconds before it,” he adds.

The guards did not sustain any injuries.

The suspects are still at large and an investigation is underway.