Cash-in-transit heist averted in Eastern Cape

Four male suspects aged between 34 and 51 were arrested and charged for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition

A group of would-be cash-in-transit heist robbers were stopped dead on their tracks by law enforcement officers on Thursday, 9 July 2020, in Phakade, near Kokstad.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the province, they had received information about a Fidelity cash van that was set to be the target of a robbery. Millions in pension and child support grants were inside the armoured vehicle and meant to be delivered at a nearby Post Office.

“A well-coordinated team effort by role players that included Tactical response team, Crime Intelligence, DPCI Detectives and Kokstad detectives helped avert a Cash In Transit resulting in arrests”, said Captain Khaya Tonjeni in a statement.

On the day of the planned robbery, members of Tactical response team deployed in Qumbu moved into action  and spotted a vehicle matching the description of the one they were told would be used in the commission of the crime. The car was  travelling from Magusheni towards Phakade and another deployed response was also mobilised for backup.

Four suspects arrested

They managed to stop and search the vehicle, where they found a treasure trove of evidence corroborating the tip-off of the planned attack.

“Two firearms, a 9mm norinco pistol with one magazine loaded 8 rounds of live ammunition, a 9mm pistol with one magazine loaded with 9 rounds of live ammunition as well as 13 loose 9mm live rounds of ammunition were recovered”, Tonjeni said.

Four male suspects aged between 34 and 51 were arrested and charged for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.

However, police’s work in the case was far from over. After conducting a follow-up, law enforcement officers ended up at another address in Kokstad, where they took part in an extensive search.

“Information was positive and arrests were made for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition and dealing in drugs were recovered”

Two suspects, a female suspect aged 34-year-old and a male aged 40 were charged for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition as well dealing in drugs.

The following items were confiscated:

  • 194 Hunga tablets
  • 8x sachets of werk drugs
  • 11x 20s of Sharp illicit cigarettes and cash to the value of R21 208, 40

The suspects are expected to appear before the Kokstad Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 13 July 2020.

Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga applauded the members for great and well-coordinated team effort resulting in this success.

“That money was intended for our community who is in need of basic food items for survival, especially at this time. The criminals who were hoping to steal this much needed relief are heartless and through your efforts they are going to face the consequences of their actions in court”, she said.