A woman kidnapped during a brazen cash-in-transit heist last week has been found safe.
It’s believed the robbers cornered the cash vehicle along the N12 near Diepkloof, Soweto, on Saturday. A female driver of a BMW was hijacked and kidnapped during the heist, as the criminals fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe told the publication on Tuesday, the woman was found safe and unharmed.
“We took down her statement,” she added.
Watch the video of the N12 CIT heist
A new video has emerged of the N12 cash-in-transit heist on the N12 near Soweto. The robbers cornered the vehicle and blew it up. It was like a scene from a movie… The criminals fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. #N12 #CITHeist #Soweto #Police@TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/dBeuTsCobS
— (@FaizelPatel143) October 10, 2023
Arms
Mathe said while police were tracing the suspects involved in the robbery, an intelligence-driven operation led officers to a backroom in Mapetla, Soweto.
“At the said identified address, police forced open a backroom where they found and seized two rifles, including an AK-47, magazines, and 71 rounds of ammunition. These rifles have been taken in for ballistics testing to determine their linkage to other CITs and associated robberies.
“During the search-and-seize operation, balaclavas, handcuffs, beanies, protective shoes, as well as cash receipt slips of bank deposits, were also seized,” Mathe said.
Stealing loot
Mathe added that police investigations and the tracing of suspects continues. It is believed to be a group of between 15 to 20 suspects.
“The units involved in this operation include the Anti-Gang-Unit (AGU), Organised Crime Investigations (OCI) and Gauteng Highway Patrol.
“Members of the public are once again reminded that picking up money from CIT crime scenes is a crime and those found to be doing so can be charged with theft and defeating the ends of justice,” Mathe warned.
CIT heists
CIT heists have shown a sharp increase with a number of incidents reported so far this year.
Last month, the head of the Hawks said despite the more than 600 arrests in the first quarter of the year, CIT heists remained a “thorn in the country’s economy”.
Lebeya said the Hawks collaborated with private organizations, such as the Cash-In-Transit Association of South Africa, to beef up its fight against CIT crimes.
In other news – Big trouble for Nhlanhla Mafu’s ex-husband, TK Nciza as bank comes for his R1.3million luxurious Mercedes-Benz
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