Woman kidnapped during hectic CIT heist found

A woman kidnapped during a brazen cash-in-transit heist last week has been found safe.

It’s believed the robbers cornered the cash vehicle along the N12 near Diepkloof, Soweto, on Saturday. A female driver of a BMW was hijacked and kidnapped during the heist, as the criminals fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe told The Citizen on Tuesday, the woman was found safe and unharmed.

“We took down her statement,” she added.

Watch the video of the N12 CIT heist

Arms

Mathe said while police were tracing the suspects involved in the robbery, an intelligence-driven operation led officers to a backroom in Mapetla, Soweto.

“At the said identified address, police forced open a backroom where they found and seized two rifles, including an AK-47, magazines and 71 rounds of ammunition. These rifles have been taken in for ballistics testing to determine their linkage to other CITs and associated robberies.

“During the search-and-seize operation, balaclavas, handcuffs, beanies, protective shoes, as well as cash receipt slips of bank deposits, were also seized,” Mathe said.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Cops launch manhunt after guards wounded, woman hijacked in Joburg CIT heist

Stealing loot

Mathe added that police investigations and the tracing of suspects continues. It is believed to be a group of between 15 to 20 suspects.

“The units involved in this operation include the Anti-Gang-Unit (AGU), Organised Crime Investigations (OCI) and Gauteng Highway Patrol.

“Members of the public are once again reminded that picking up money from CIT crime scenes is a crime and those found to be doing so can be charged with theft and defeating the ends of justice,” Mathe warned.

CIT heists

CIT heists have shown a sharp increase with a number of incidents reported so far this year. 

Last month, the head of the Hawks said despite the more than 600 arrests in the first quarter of the year, CIT heists remained a “thorn in the country’s economy”.

Lebeya said the Hawks collaborated with private organisations, such as the Cash-In-Transit Association of South Africa, to beef up its fight against CIT crimes.

ALSO READ: South Africans warned against picking up money amid wave of CIT heists