East pair caught before heist
"We will continue to toil in ensuring our constitutional and moral obligation toward the safety of the people of South Africa.”
Two Mamelodi men were arrested earlier this week for planning to ambush a cash-in-transit van in the Free State.
Police said they were apparently waiting for the vehicle on the N5 road, just outside Senekal.
A Volkswagen Polo Vivo, along with two pistols and ammunition were among the items seized by police.
Thulani Stanley Makhaya (30) and Kweza Tabor Mapongwana (28) appeared in the Senekal Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
They would be back in court on 31 July and remained in custody.
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Their arrests formed part of a nationwide swoop by the police on cash-in-transit crimes.
Members of crime intelligence, the Hawks and a tactical response team and local police took part in the operation.
Other arrests made during the 72-hour activation plan included those of two men in the Eastern Cape after a cash-in-transit robbery.
“The multidisciplinary team… traced two suspects to Alice in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday,” the police said in a statement.
A large amount of cash was recovered, along with a firearm and a suspected stolen Mercedes Benz.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said the arrest reflected the commitment of the police to bring an end to cash heists.
“We are very serious about stamping the authority of the State… and to create a safe and secure environment for all people of South Africa.”
National police commissioner General Khehla Sitole expressed satisfaction with the work of the police teams.
“I have since the unfortunate massacre of our police officers at Engcobo in the Eastern Cape earlier this year, ordered the immediate implementation of the 72-hour Activation Plan with great effect,” he said.
“We will continue to toil in ensuring our constitutional and moral obligation toward the safety of the people of South Africa.”
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