UPDATE: Ninth suspected cash-in-transit robber dies in hospital after shootout in Sebokeng

Gauteng police have confirmed that the number of cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers killed during a shootout with officers in Sebokeng in the Emfuleni Local Municipality has risen to nine.

Three others who were woudned in the shootout with police are recieving medical treatment under police guard in hospital.

Members of the SAPS Tactical Response Team (TRT) were following up on crime intelligence driven information relating to suspects who were on their way to commit a CIT robbery on Thursday morning when the shootout took place.

CIT heists

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the suspects were traced to an identified address in Sebokeng,where a shoot-out ensued between the armed suspects and police.

Mathe said the gang have been terrorising CIT vans in and around Gauteng.

“A total of eight suspects were certified dead at the scene while the ninth suspect died in hospital. These suspects are believed to be behind a spate of cash-in-transit heists that have been occurring in Gauteng and surrounding areas.

“Acting provincial police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni was at the scene and was joined by the minister of police Bheki Cele together with the management of the South African Police Service,” Mathe said.

Cele said he is confident that police are making serious inroads in the fight against serious and violent crime.

“If they come hard on us, we came harder on them, it’s them and us on behalf of the community. We can’t co-govern, we can’t rule with criminals. We are asserting the authority of the state on behalf of our communities”, said Cele.

Bystanders killed during CIT heist

On Wednesday, two innocent bystanders were killed and another wounded following a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist in Putfontein on the East Rand.

It is understood a group of suspects attacked the CIT truck early on Wednesday, next to the Chief Albert Luthuli informal settlement in Ekurhuleni.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Two bystanders killed during CIT heist in Ekurhuleni

Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) spokesperson Ignatius Maphike said one of the guards was injured during the robbery.

“One Fidelity security guard was injured on the arm due to the collision. Two bystanders were shot dead by the robbers, while they were taking videos of the heist with their phones. One bystander was shot in the arm,” Maphike said.

“One of vehicles belonging to the suspects caught fire,” Maphike said.

Maphike added that the suspects getaway vehicle was recovered about 500 metres away from the crime scene.

Investigations

Mathe said police are investigating the robbery.

Mathe has urged anyone with information related to the crime scene to contact the police.