Mpumalanga’s Operation Gijima Tsotsi, which seeks to address the scourge of cash-in-transit (CIT) heists, bank robberies as well as ATM bombings, is making inroads.
The operation, which is led by a senior police officer and comprises different units within the SAPS, like the Detective Services, Hawks, Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team as well as the Flying Squad, have arrested a total of 28 suspects so far.
About eight firearms, including five AK 47s, two rifles and a 9mm pistol were recovered, since the launch of the operation in April 2018.
The police further recovered seven luxury vehicles which are believed to have been used during the commission of crimes, provincial SAPS said on Tuesday.
The suspects were arrested for different violent crimes, including murder, CIT heists, possession of explosives, bank robberies, ATM bombings, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit crime, kidnapping and assault of a Traffic Officer, theft of explosives, theft of cash as well as other related crimes.
The arrested suspects have already appeared before different Magistrates’ Courts in the province with some remanded in custody, with bail applications being processed, while some are out on bail with tight conditions.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma said the province saw fit to devise a strategy to deal with the scourge of these crimes which are rearing their ugly head.
CIT heists and other related crimes are occurring in almost all parts of the province and the perpetrators thereof are daring and always dangerously armed, which is a clear signal that they are ready to kill, he said.
