Four alleged CIT robbers killed during shootout with Johannesburg police

Four alleged CIT robbers were killed during a shootout with police in Katlegong, Johannesburg on Friday morning 22 January. According to Colonel Brenda Muridili, only one suspect was arrested and survived the fatal confrontation.  

The incident, which resulted in four men succumbing to their gunshot wounds, followed on from a CIT robbery in Edison Street, Langlaagte Industrial on Friday morning just after 7:00.

In a separate incident, the tables were turned. Two members of Rustenburg police’s flying squad were recovering from gunshot wounds to the arms and hands after they were shot at by four armed robbers on Monday 4 January 2021. Read the full story here.

ARMED CIT ROBBERS ALLEGEDLY USE EXPLOSIVES TO BOMB ARMOURED VEHICLE 

According to Muridili, the alleged CIT robbers used explosives to bomb an armoured vehicle in order to gain access to the safe. While they managed to flee the scene, authorities managed to catch up with them at a safe house in Katlegong which resulted in the bloody shootout. 

“The suspect made off with [an] undisclosed amount of money, leaving the vehicle they have used to ram the armoured vehicle off the road burning,” she said.  

According to SAPS, one of the security guards was also taken to the hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to the head.

National Crime Intelligence activated the SAPS Airwing, Limpopo and Mpumalanga Tracking Teams with assistance from EMPD Swat and JMPD K9 to trace the suspects. 

The information received led the team to a safe house in Katlegong where the alleged CIT robbers tried to “shoot their way out”. One suspect was arrested while four others were fatally wounded. The team has since launched a manhunt for the other suspects that managed to flee the scene.

POLICE RADIOS, FIREARMS AND VEHICLES RECOVERED 

Upon searching the premises in Katlegong, the team recovered two police radios, an unlicensed firearm and two vehicles — one had been hijacked in Katlegong last month and the other was hijacked in Sandton two weeks back.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation will be investigating this case. The arrested suspect and alleged CIT robber is due to appear in court soon facing charges of murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, possession of stolen vehicles, possession of prohibited firearm and ammunition.

Police are appealing to anyone with information on the whereabouts of the remaining suspects to kindly call the Crime Stop number ‪at 08600 10111‬ or to send tip-offs on My SAPS App.