Five suspected cash-in-transit robbers were killed in a shootout with Eastern Cape police. (Brenton Geach/Gallo Images)
- Five suspected cash-in-transit robbers were killed during a shootout with police in the Eastern Cape.
- Three others have been arrested.
- Police also recovered explosives.
Five suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers were killed in a shootout with Eastern Cape police, hours after a robbery on the N6 in Macleantown, East London, on Monday.
According to the Hawks, 20 people bombed an armoured vehicle and made off with an undisclosed amount of money.
Three guards were injured during the incident.
The Hawks’ Eastern Cape spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, said: “Members of the Hawks CIT heist interim task team followed information on suspects that allegedly ambushed the SBV armoured vehicle on the N6 between East London and Stutterheim.”
“They went to a house in Kom location in Keiskammahoek where they were attacked by suspects using high-calibre rifles. The members retaliated and fatally shot five suspects. Money was recovered in original money bags,” Mgolodela said.
Police also recovered explosives at the scene.
READ | Guards injured, cash stolen during CIT robbery in the Eastern Cape
Mgolodela added that police stopped a suspicious vehicle driving in the direction of Craddock when the occupants attempted to flee.
“The vehicle was shot at and the driver lost control and three suspects were arrested with an undisclosed stack of money. They were arrested on the spot. Firearms and cash were seized,” she said.
The other occupants are still at large.
The N6 route was closed to traffic for seven hours as detectives combed the scene for clues.
Sithandiwe Velaphi
www.news24.com
