Cape Town – Two suspects linked to a series of inter-provincial cash-in-transit (CIT) heists were killed in a gun battle with the police over the weekend in Durban.
The suspects were on the South African Police Services’ “most wanted” list and were also wanted for house robberies and farm attacks, police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda.
The shootout took place in Verulam, KZN North Coast, involving private security companies and the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation.
The suspects, part of a group that attempted a CIT robbery in 2019, opened fire on the police upon being spotted, leading to a fatal exchange.
Netshiunda explained the sequence of events that led to the shootout, saying that the suspects were spotted while travelling on Jabu Ngcobo Drive.
“Upon noticing the presence of police, the suspects started firing shots at the men of law. Police retaliated and a shoot-out ensued,” Netshiunda said.
He added: “After the shoot-out, two suspects were found to have sustained fatal gunshot wounds. One suspect narrowly evaded arrest and fled from the scene in possession of a rifle. A manhunt in search for him is already under way.”
While unveiling the quarterly crime statistics on Friday, Police Minister Bheki Cele highlighted successful operations, with 46 CIT heists reported between October and December and over 75 wanted CIT suspects arrested in the past year.
High-caliber firearms and vehicles used in the crimes were seized during these operations.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
