On Thursday morning, a gunfight ensued between South African police and suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers in Sebokeng, Gauteng, resulting in the deaths of nine suspected robbers. According to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, members of the SAPS Tactical Response Team (TRT) were following up on crime intelligence-driven information about suspects planning a CIT robbery when they located them at an address in Sebokeng. The suspects opened fire on the police, and a shootout ensued.
The suspects are believed to have been involved in a series of CIT heists in Gauteng and surrounding areas. Three other suspects who were wounded during the shootout are currently receiving medical treatment under police guard in a hospital. The shootout comes just a day after two innocent bystanders were killed and another injured during a CIT heist in Putfontein on the East Rand.
Police Minister Bheki Cele and Acting Provincial Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni visited the scene of the shootout in Sebokeng. Cele expressed his confidence in the police's ability to address CIT robberies in the country. The rise of CIT robberies in South Africa has become a significant concern for law enforcement agencies, with heavily armed robbers frequently targeting cash-carrying vehicles.
The recent spate of CIT robberies in Gauteng and surrounding areas has caused public outcry, with citizens calling on the government to take action to address the problem. In many instances, innocent bystanders have been killed or injured during these robberies, which has heightened fears of violence and insecurity among citizens.
The South African Police Service has deployed various strategies to tackle CIT robberies, including the establishment of specialised units and increased intelligence-gathering operations. Despite these efforts, CIT robberies continue to occur, and police have called on the public to provide any information that could assist in investigations.
The recent CIT robberies have prompted renewed calls for the government to address the underlying issues that lead to the commission of these crimes, such as poverty and inequality. Critics argue that without addressing these social and economic factors, CIT robberies and other violent crimes will continue to plague South Africa.
In conclusion, the shootout between police and suspected CIT robbers in Sebokeng is another reminder of the ongoing problem of CIT robberies in South Africa. The deaths of innocent bystanders and the fear and insecurity felt by citizens are significant concerns that require urgent action from law enforcement agencies and the government.
