In a major breakthrough, the police have arrested four suspects linked to a cash-in-transit heist in Midrand. The arrests were made as part of Operation Shanela, a nationwide effort to dismantle organised crime syndicates involved in serious and violent crimes, particularly armed robberies such as cash-in-transit heists.
The Gauteng police successfully apprehended the suspects, who were traced to various addresses in Thembisa. During the operation, the police discovered a Mercedes-Benz believed to have been used as a getaway vehicle, dye-stained money, explosives, and an AK47.
Further investigations have revealed that the recovered Mercedes-Benz was hijacked earlier this year in Springs. The police are now working to trace the owner of the vehicle and provide them with the necessary information.
In a separate incident, the Hawks arrested a 38-year-old man found in possession of explosives. Acting on received information, the police intercepted a bus travelling from Zimbabwe to Johannesburg and discovered the explosives. The authorities are currently investigating whether these explosives were intended for use in cash-in-transit heists and are working to determine their origin.
The police have also achieved notable successes in KwaZulu-Natal, where four suspects linked to multiple heists in the Durban area were killed in a shootout with the police in KwaMashu.
National Police Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola has expressed satisfaction with the progress made in combating criminality and acts of lawlessness. He emphasized that the police will not negotiate with criminals, especially in the lead-up to the busy festive season.
