Major Breakthrough for SAPS as CIT Gang Shut Down in Shootout

South African Police Services (SAPS), under the leadership of Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, have dealt a severe blow to a syndicate believed to be behind numerous Cash-In-Transit (CIT) heists across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng regions.

On Friday, in an event that led to a shootout, an astounding 18 alleged members of a CIT gang, including two females, were killed. A secondary location in Thohoyandou saw an additional four suspects arrested, as noted by General Masemola.

The operation had been carefully planned and implemented over several days, resulting in the police making their move at an address identified in Makhado, Limpopo. Citing the swift actions of the police, the onslaught by the suspects was met with retaliation, ending in a fatal outcome at the scene.

In the course of the operation, the SAPS confiscated ten automobiles, including high-powered performance vehicles, and seven automatic rifles. Tragically, a senior police officer from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) was injured in the gunfight and is presently receiving medical treatment in a local hospital.

This operation is part of the SAPS' overall strategy to clamp down on serious and violent crimes throughout the country, a strategy that General Masemola stands firm on. He also thanked the units involved for their dedication and shown state authority in the face of organized crime.

Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, the National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), confirmed that the operation was the result of a deeply rooted investigation that had been underway since January. He expressed confidence that the suspects in question were part of the targeted syndicate.

The operation saw the successful collaboration of multiple law enforcement units, including the DPCI National Priority Violent Crime Desk, Mpumalanga DPCI Head Office Tactical Operations Management Services, Tactical Response Team, Gauteng Special Task Force, and the Gauteng Traffic Police Saturation Unit.