6 suspects arrested hours after CIT heist in Vanderbijlpark, Joburg
6 suspects arrested hours after CIT heist in Vanderbijlpark, Joburg! Police have arrested six men linked to a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist that took place south of Johannesburg. The arrests were made just hours after the robbery occurred in Vanderbijlpark, demonstrating a swift and coordinated response from law enforcement agencies.
Details of the Robbery
According to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the CIT heist unfolded when a cash van was loading money at an ATM. Before the security personnel could complete the transaction, a group of armed men ambushed them.
“They accosted the security guards, robbing them at gunpoint with their rifle and a pistol before fleeing the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash using an Audi A3 and a Toyota Quantum. No shots were fired, and there were also no injuries reported,” Nevhuhulwi stated.
Despite the lack of injuries, the brazen attack highlights the growing threat of CIT robberies in South Africa, where criminal syndicates often use sophisticated planning and heavy weaponry to execute such crimes.
6 suspects arrested
Swift Police Response Leads to Arrests
Shortly after the heist, police launched a manhunt for the suspects. Nevhuhulwi confirmed that officers received intelligence on the perpetrators’ whereabouts, leading to a targeted operation.
“A team comprising Sedibeng K9, Public Order Policing, and the CIT task team followed up on intelligence information, which led them to a house in Evaton. Six suspects were arrested, and two vehicles allegedly used in the commission of the crime were found in the yard and seized,” she said.
Along with the arrests, law enforcement officers recovered three pistols, one rifle, five cellphones, and a stash of stolen money.
Suspects Face Court Appearance
The six men taken into custody will soon appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court. They are facing serious charges, including armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, commended the swift police work that led to the arrests.
“The quick response from our teams ensured that these suspects were found still in possession of the stolen goods. This should serve as a strong message to criminals that law enforcement in Gauteng will act decisively against those who seek to destabilize our communities through violent crime,” Mthombeni said.
Growing Concern Over CIT Heists
Cash-in-transit heists remain a major security threat in South Africa, with criminals often targeting security vans carrying large sums of money. These attacks are well-coordinated, with perpetrators using stolen or high-performance vehicles, automatic weapons, and explosives to overpower security guards.
In many cases, police and private security companies have struggled to curb these crimes due to the organized nature of these syndicates. However, recent arrests, like those in the Vanderbijlpark case, demonstrate improved intelligence-sharing and quicker police action.
Sandton Shooting Under Investigation
In a separate incident, police are investigating a shooting at the Solo restaurant in Sandton, where three people were shot dead and four others injured last week.
According to Brigadier Brenda Muridili, initial investigations indicate that the incident was sparked by a dispute over a firearm.
“Preliminary investigations have revealed that last night, just before 11 pm, a man came in together with his bodyguards and wanted to enter a restaurant in Sandton with a firearm. The restaurant has a strict no-firearm policy,” Muridili explained.
A confrontation reportedly ensued, escalating into gunfire inside the establishment. The police have since seized four firearms, including two high-caliber rifles, as part of their investigation.
Authorities are still working to determine whether the shooting was linked to organized crime, a personal dispute, or a targeted assassination.
The Need for Increased Security Measures
The recent incidents in Vanderbijlpark and Sandton highlight the growing concerns about violent crime in South Africa. While police have made progress in apprehending suspects, these cases serve as reminders that stronger security measures and crime prevention strategies are needed to protect businesses and the public.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities. Additionally, collaboration between police, private security firms, and community members remains crucial in tackling organized crime effectively.
With the six suspects now in custody, the police continue their investigations to determine whether they are linked to other CIT heists in the region. Law enforcement agencies remain on high alert, working to dismantle criminal syndicates and prevent future attacks.
