RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - As part of combating aggravated robberies in line with the Safer Festive Season Operation Shanela, a suspect was arrested in Tlhabane following a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery.
The incident occurred at about 17:30 on Monday, 11 November. It is alleged that a white Mercedes Benz vehicle rammed into a cash in transit security vehicle on the R104 road to Kroondal from Rustenburg. Although the security guard (driver) continued driving, he was forced to stop after shots were fired at the vehicle.
As a result, he and his colleague jumped out of the vehicle, but were caught by suspects who robbed them of their 9mm pistols.
The suspects then blew open the security van with explosives and fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash, driving in two vehicles. The security officers were not harmed.
Following the incident, intelligence gathered led the police to an address in Kagiso, close to Krugersdorp, where a Toyota Quantum suspected to have been used to transport the suspects between Gauteng and North West, was confiscated. SAPS members then proceeded to Tlhabane, close to Rustenburg and with the assistance of Rustenburg Flying Squad, one female, in her 40s, was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning for possession of suspected stolen / hijacked motor vehicles. The team confiscated two vehicles; a Toyota bakkie (stolen in Bloemfontein in August 2024) and a Volkswagen Tiguan (hijacked from its owner in August 2024, in Boitekong) on suspicion that they were used during the commission of the crime. The suspect is expected to appear before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court soon.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded all members involved in tracking the suspect and vehicles for their diligence and applying a multidisciplinary approach to bring the suspect to book and to ensure a safe and secure environment for all, especially during the festive season.
General Kwena is also requesting members of the community to refrain from tampering and/or contaminating crime scenes - as it happened in this instance. Anyone who may have information that can assist the police in the investigation, is requested to contact the Investigating Officer, Capt Mollo Kgekoane of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation on 082 338 3140.
