Three killed during foiled CIT robbery, 19 arrested

A police constable and two suspects were killed during a shootout in Brakpan near Carnival city on Friday.

According to the police, 19 suspects were arrested for conspiracy to commit a CIT robbery, while seven rifles, explosives and nine vehicles were recovered among other exhibits.

Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili said that police had undertaken an intelligence-driven operation after receiving information received from Crime Intelligence.

“Members from Gauteng Serious & Violent Crimes, Johannesburg Crime Intelligence and K9, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Ekurhuleni Trio Task Team as well as Fidelity Specialized Services and Community Active Protection executed an operational plan based on information received from Crime Intelligence,” sad Muridili.

ALSO READ: Cape Town taxi violence: Arrests made but we want the kingpins – Mbalula

“Upon arrival at the house, a shootout ensued between the team and the suspects, with some of the suspects fleeing the scene. Two of the suspects were shot fatally.”

She said that the suspects were allegedly conspiring to commit a cash-in-transit robbery.

Muridili added that one suspect fled the scene and hijacked a vehicle in his attempt to escape.

“A police vehicle with two members pursued a suspect who hijacked a VW Golf to flee the scene to the corner of Jubilee and Snyman Streets. Another shootout ensued between the suspect and the police officers where a police constable was shot. He died from his injuries on the scene while the suspect fled on foot,” said Muridili.

ALSO READ: IEC agrees with Moseneke report: 2021 local elections won’t be free and fair

She said that four of the nine vehicles have been positively identified as stolen/hijacked while seven of the nine firearms were rifles (4 x AK47/3 x R5) and two were pistols.

“A bag containing live ammunition as well as explosives with the value still to be determined, were also confiscated. The Province has instituted the 72-Hour Activation plan to ensure that all the necessary resources needed to investigate this incident are mobilised. The team is following leads to track and locate the suspect allegedly responsible for the fatal shooting of the police constable,” the police said.