Six suspected CIT robbers dead in shootout with police in Germiston [VIDEO]

A gang of suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers have been killed in shootout with police on the East Rand in Gauteng.

The gun battle took place in the Germiston CBD, Ekurhuleni on Saturday morning.

It is understood the shoot-out happened when police approached the suspected robbers as they attempted to rob the CIT vehicle.

Watch Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni speaking about the shootout

In Germiston, a dramatic shootout with police has resulted in the deaths of at least six suspected cash-in-transit robbers. Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni was at the scene, providing an update to the media.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/m2A73cit4u

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— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 7, 2024

Police said a multi-disciplinary team comprising of Saps anti-gang unit, the Gauteng Traffic Police airwing and tactical response among other law enforcement agencies received information about the heist.  

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Germiston shootout

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said as law enforcement officials approached the area, a lookout was established for the robbers vehicle after the armed robbery of a G4S cash van.

“Members started looking for suspects’ vehicle and spotted it  driving recklessly. Members attempted to stop the suspects and they immediately started shooting at the members. Members returned fire and suspects’ vehicle lost control thus crashing into a pole.

“Six suspects were fatally wounded and another suspect in serious condition.  An AK 47 rifle, four handguns and the cash trolley have been recovered.  The vehicle that the suspects were using has been identified as stolen in Brooklyn,” Masondo said.

A gang of suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers have been killed in shootout with police in Germiston. The shootout happened when police approached the suspected robbers as they attempted to rob the CIT vehicle. #CITHeist #Shootout #Police Photos: Saps @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/9Hihlcmohf

— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) September 7, 2024

Warning to criminals

Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said the shootout is only the beginning of police’s intensified approach to crime prevention in the province.

“We must just warn these criminals, as I’ve indicated on the media space, that if they don’t stop whatever they are doing, they will feel like they are sitting on top of the fire.

“They have to take note to whomever is planning to carry out a crime within this province, they will feel the heat, as we know that some of them are daring. So, we are up for them, and we’ll meet them on the streets,” Mthombeni said.

Crime stats

Last week police minister Senso Mchunu revealed that the number of cash-in-transit (CIT) heists in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng are still a concern.

Mchunu announced the quarterly crime statistics which reflect on crimes that occurred during the last quarter of the previous financial year (1 January 2024 – 31 March 2024) as well as the first quarter.

Mchunu said while there are concerns, the overall number CIT heists has reduced.

“We will be meeting with various cash in transit companies to discuss measures aimed at curbing this crime,” Mchunu said.

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