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The Ministry of Police commends the remarkable bravery and swift action of the East London Tactical Response Team (TRT) and the East London Tracking Team in their successful operation on Monday, March 24, 2025, which led to a significant breakthrough in the fight against Cash In Transit (CIT) heists.
At approximately 18:40, law enforcement officers spotted a white Isuzu double cab, which was suspected to be involved in a series of CIT heists. This vehicle was located on the R63 route near Qumrha, where road construction was underway. The suspects, upon noticing the police presence, attempted to evade capture by reversing their vehicle and opening fire on officers. In response, the police tactically engaged, returning fire and forcing the vehicle to come to a standstill. Two suspects attempted to flee the scene but were apprehended shortly thereafter.
The subsequent investigation revealed a disturbing level of criminal preparedness. A fatality was discovered in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, with a rifle found beside the suspect. Additionally, three AK-47 rifles, one R5 rifle, two buckets full of ammunition, a khaki bulletproof vest, and explosives were recovered. The vehicle was later confirmed to be stolen in Mthatha earlier this year and was linked to several CIT heists in the region. The National Commissioner has provided the Minister with a detailed report.
In his commendation, the Minister expressed the following: “We salute the tireless efforts of the East London TRT, the East London Tracking Team, and the K9 unit, whose commitment led to the successful disruption of this criminal operation. While this success is a significant blow to criminal syndicates targeting cash in transit operations, the Ministry is deeply concerned about the increasing frequency of these crimes. We want to make it clear that this uptick in CIT heists will not be tolerated.
The extent at which these criminals were armed is particularly troubling; high calibre firearms such as AK-47s and an R5 rifle were found in their vehicle.
The Ministry, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, is committed to dismantling these criminal networks and ensuring that those responsible for these dangerous acts face the full force of the law. In addition, we strongly urge companies involved in the transportation of cash to be more vigilant and to tighten their security measures. The screening of employees, particularly those handling sensitive operations, must be enhanced to prevent any potential insider threats. The police will continue to engage with the private sector to ensure that appropriate security systems are in place.
The Ministry recognises the gravity of the situation, particularly in provinces where crime rates remain high. We are actively working on additional plans to further strengthen our national strategy against crime. The safety of our citizens is a priority, and we will continue to deploy resources and implement measures aimed at reducing crime across the country.”