Five suspected of robbing CIT van in Ekangala still behind bars
In a sudden manoeuvre, the Mazda performed a handbrake turn, faced the oncoming SAPS vehicles, and opened fire on officers while attempting to escape where after police returned fire in defence.
Five suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers remain behind bars after appearing in the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on June 6 and again on June 9.
They were arrested in Sundra following a CIT robbery that occurred in Dark City, Ekangala, on June 4. A lookout for the suspects was circulated that day via police channels and WhatsApp security groups.
Although a silver BMW was used to ram the cash van, reports indicated that the suspects were fleeing in a silver Mercedes-Benz and a silver Mazda CX-5, heading on the R42 toward Delmas.
Members of the Ekurhuleni Flying Squad, along with two SAPS officers, spotted two vehicles matching the descriptions on the R42. Upon noticing the police, both vehicles sped up.
The silver Mercedes-Benz separated from the group, while the Mazda CX-5 exited the N12 at the Sundra/Eloff/Katboschfontein off-ramp.
In an evasive maneuver, the Mazda reportedly performed a handbrake turn, faced the oncoming SAPS vehicles, and opened fire while attempting to escape. Police returned fire. The suspects eventually lost control of the vehicle, which crashed into a nearby mielie field.
According to Derek Bester from the Sundra Bulldogs neighbourhood watch, local residents reported seeing the suspects fleeing from the highway area and asking for directions.
The scene was soon secured by a range of security and police forces, including the Sundra Bulldogs and members of AfriForum’s Delmas Valke Neighbourhood Watch.
Thanks to the Bulldogs’ knowledge of the area, the first suspect was found crawling through dense bush. With support from aerial units, four more suspects were located and arrested shortly afterward.
All five suspects were taken into custody by Sundra police. According to reports, they later confessed to shooting at police and abandoning weapons and stolen cash in the vehicle left in the mielie field.
The scene was secured and handed over to LCRC Secunda, which processed the area until nightfall. The following morning, June 5, a search for weapons and money continued with the help of a drone.
The suspects remain in custody and are scheduled to appear in the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on June 17 for a formal bail application.
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