By Everson Luhanga
Police have stopped two separate cash-in-transit robberies and arrested eight suspects, including two police officers.
A ninth suspect was shot dead and one other sustained a gunshot wound.
Two police officers, aged 41 and 42, were arrested together with three other suspects in Ekurhuleni on Sunday night.
The gang, which is said to have allegedly planned a cash-in-transit heist in Mafikeng, North West, is facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of suspected stolen state property (police number plates), and impersonating police officers.
The men were also found in possession of police appointment cards, police car registration plates, illegal firearms, medical gloves and balaclavas, among other items.
SAPS officers were patrolling on the N4 when they came across a stationary white Ford Ranger with five occupants under a bridge. Police searched them and found several illegal items.
A community patroller, who was part of the arresting team, said the officers received a tipoff that there would be a cash-in-transit robbery on the N4 towards Brits.
The SAPS’ Flying Squad, Ekurhuleni Metro Police, and other law enforcement officials flooded the highway and arrested the group.
In another incident early on Monday, the Special Task Force, National Intelligence Agency, and a SAPS Tactical Response Team raided a shisa nyama in Aureus, Randfontein, where a cash-in-transit gang was allegedly hiding.
Sources say authorities received a tipoff about cash-in-transit gang suspects who were planning to commit a robbery in Randfontein on the West Rand. The officials identified the safe house.
As the police approached the house where the suspects were hiding, they were fired upon.
Police shot and killed one suspect; one sustained an injury and two more were arrested. One police officer was shot during the operation.
The suspects were arrested when they were stopped by police at Umphakathi as they tried to get away in a VW Polo and a Mercedes-Benz.
Guns, explosives, and stolen cars were seized.
West Rand SAPS District Commissioner General Fred Kekana said the house where the suspects were found belongs to businessman David Benzana.
And now police are looking for his son, Thabo Benzana, who is out on bail in a case connected with a cash-in-transit robbery.
Pictured above: Guns found on the suspects.
Image source: Supplied
