Three suspected cash in transit robbers arrested and four killed during shootout

21 September 2023

LIMPOPO – The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation members have arrested three suspects aged between 28 and 52 who allegedly ambushed and robbed G4S armoured vehicle near Hoedspruit on 20 September 2023.

It is alleged that on the date (20 September 2023) at about 16:00 the G4S armoured vehicle together with its escort vehicle were driving near Hoedspruit towards Tzaneen when they were suddenly ambushed by the suspected armed robbers who were driving in three vehicles (white Toyota Fortuner, white Ford Focus and white Toyota Hilux).

The suspected robbers allegedly started shooting at the escort vehicle until it came to a standstill and they disarmed the guards (driver and crew) of their official rifles and pistols. Unfortunately, the two guards were shot at and sustained injuries that resulted in the death of the driver.

It is further alleged that the armed robbers pursued the armoured vehicle while shooting at it until it stopped. The driver of the armoured vehicle and his crew were allegedly ordered to disembark the vehicle, disarmed of two firearms and chased into the nearby bushes.

The suspects allegedly used the explosives to blast the armoured vehicle and made off with an undisclosed amount of money. The Hoedspruit Farmwatch was activated and spotted the suspects’ vehicles driving towards Hoedspruit.

In an attempt to stop the suspects’ vehicles, they put the obstacles on the road that forced their vehicles to stop.

It is further reported that the suspects started shooting at members of Hoedspruit Farmwatch who in self-defence returned fire. During the shootout, four suspects were killed and one (28) was injured and arrested on the spot. The other suspects ran into the nearby bushes and vanished. In the early hours of Thursday, 21 September 2023, suspects who fled were traced with the assistance of the Hoedspruit Farmwatch dogs and chopper until they were caught in a taxi that was travelling to Acornhoek and arrested. The two injured suspects were found in possession of suspected stolen money.

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation members were summoned to the scene. While processing the scene, an undisclosed amount of cash, one assault rifle and other firearms were seized.

The three (30) injured suspects are under police guard in hospital and they will make their first court appearance soon. The Hawks are still searching for the outstanding suspects. Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects can contact Colonel Motle on 079 886 6618 or contact the nearest police station.

Members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation are determined to vigorously fight the scourge of cash in transit robberies in the Limpopo Province and in the entirely country. The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province, Major General Gopz Govender has since issued a stern warning against the cash in transit robbers that from today onwards, no one is going to die in their hands. “ If this is a fight, we are ready to utilise the available resources to protect the inhabitants of the Republic of South Africa and their properties, but in this fight, we are going to come out victorious”, Major General Govender concluded.

Statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Matimba Maluleke, Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (HAWKS), 21 September 2023

Additional:

The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Limpopo hails the police and Hoedspruit Farmwatch for the arrest of armed robbers

22 September 2023

POLOKWANE - The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has expressed appreciation for the joint efforts by the Police and Hoedspruit Farmwatch that led to the arrest of suspects who were allegedly involved in the cash in transit heist on Wednesday, 20 September 2023 in Hoedspruit Policing precinct.

It is alleged that on the said date, a group of unknown suspects attacked and robbed a cash in transit security vehicle an undisclosed amount of money and fled the scene in a White Toyota Fortuner, White Ford Focus and White Toyota Hilux. During the robbery, one of the security guards was fatally injured and disarmed.

The Police and the Hoedspruit Farm-watch received the report of the robbery and mobilized. The suspects were spotted along the road to Hoedspruit. The team attempted to stop the suspects but were met by a hail of bullets. The team returned fire and when the dust settled, four suspects were fatally injured, one injured and arrested, while the others managed to evade arrest by running to the nearby bushes.

Their victory was short lived as they were arrested the following day on Thursday, 21 September 2023 while traveling to Acornhoek in a mini bus following an intense search mission by the Hoedspruit Farm-watch Dogs, DPCI and a chopper. One of the arrested suspect is a highly wanted Mozambican suspect who has been on the run for some time for a spate of crimes he committed in the Free State province during 2022 including a murder of a police officer attached to TRT. The suspects were found in possession of suspected stolen money, rifle and pistol.

"I would like to express my most profound appreciation for the meticulous collaborative efforts by all stakeholders involved in the arrest of these suspects. I will forever be indebted to the continuous support that we always receive from the stakeholders and their enthusiasm to ensuring that we maintain law and order in the Province. We will stop at nothing to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book. We pay tribute to one of the G4S guard who lost his life during this aggravated robbery. We will continue sweeping our street side by side with our communities and usher a safer Province which we all aspire to have without failure.

"Concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Hoedspruit Magistrate's Court soon once they are released from hospital where they are under police guard.

Police investigations are continuing.

Statement issued by Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Office of the Provincial Commissioner Limpopo, 24 September 2023