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Chaos ensued on Friday night, 6 May 2022, following a large-scale shootout on the R34 following a failed cash-in-transit heist.
According to information received, shortly before 8 pm, a team comprised of various law enforcement agencies received information regarding a planned Cash-in-Transit robbery between Pietermaritzburg and Newcastle.
As a result, an operation was actioned resulting in the said robbery being foiled. Thereafter, the team of officers and local security companies pursued the group along the R34, up towards the N11. However, despite the crime being thwarted, the suspects refused to go quietly.
Minimising the men’s escape, traffic officers closed the roads at strategic points.
Ithemba Security’s Operational Director, Mornè Potgieter explained that during the pursuit, the suspects jumped out of their vehicles, running through nearby farms and bushes. All the while shooting at law enforcement.
After engaging with the criminals, Potgieter highlighted that four of the suspects were fatally wounded, while a fifth was critically injured. He explained the injured suspect was taken to a hospital in Newcastle and is currently under police guard.
Newcastle Crime Fighter Task Team’s Imran Ghafoor added that it was unfortunate that one suspect managed to escape.
However, Potgieter states that law enforcement managed to recover three pistols, one rifle, some explosives and two vehicles, one of which was reported stolen in Pinetown.
With further investigations underway, it was speculated that the men were involved in a spate of cash-in-transit robberies in KZN and other provinces.
While the Newcastle SAPS is still to issue a statement, both Potgieter and Ghafoor extend a heartfelt thanks to all those who bravely pursued the suspects to ensure justice prevailed
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Comments 1
Well done! Excellent achievement.