Police investigations and the tracing of suspects linked to the N12 cash-in-transit (CIT) heist have led Gauteng police to a backroom in Mapetla, Soweto.

An intelligence-driven operation into the suspects recovered weapons and gear that were likely used in the commission of the crime. Two rifles including AK-47 magazines and 71 rounds of ammunition have been seized by police.

The search operation also uncovered balaclavas, handcuffs, beanies, protective shoes and cash receipts of bank deposits of large sums of money.

“These rifles have been taken in for Ballistics testing to determine their linkage to other CITs and associated robberies,” says police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe in a statement.

The police say the search for the group of 15 to 20 suspects will continue until arrests are made.

The suspects bombed a CIT vehicle on the N12 on Saturday morning and subsequently got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

During the incident, a female driver of a BMW was hijacked, abducted at gunpoint and forced to drive the suspects to Soweto where they drove in getaway vehicles including a black Golf 8 GTi, a blue BMW X6, a white Mitsubishi Pajero, a black Range Rover and a white Toyota Fortuner.

One guard sustained gunshot wounds while three others sustained injuries after the cash vehicle overturned.

Mathe says the police are investigating a case of hijacking and kidnapping, CIT and attempted murder.