Hawks and G4S Offer Rewards for Information on Eastern Cape CIT Heist Suspects

In the wake of a brazen cash-in-transit (CIT) heist near East London, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, in collaboration with G4S Cash Solutions, is urging the public to assist in the apprehension of the perpetrators. The incident, which occurred on Monday near the Ndabakazi turnoff, left a police officer wounded and prompted an urgent appeal for public assistance.

In a detailed account of the events, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, spokesperson for the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, outlined how a G4S armoured vehicle, tasked with transporting money from Butterworth, was violently ambushed while on the way back to East London. At approximately 6 pm, the vehicle was forced off the road by armed assailants driving three white Toyota bakkies. Following gunfire that caused the armoured vehicle to overturn, the guards were made to exit at gunpoint before explosives were used to access the vehicle's cargo.

Further details reveal that during the heist, a shootout occurred between the arriving police and the robbers, resulting in one law enforcement member being shot. The amount of money stolen remains undisclosed, while the criminals managed to escape in the aforementioned vehicles.

The severity of the attack has prompted an offer of R100,000 from G4S Cash Solutions for credible and useful information leading to the arrest and conviction of those behind not only this heist but also other recent attacks in the Mthatha area. Amit Devir, Managing Director of G4S, expressed concern over the increased frequency and escalating violence of CIT attacks in the Eastern Cape.

To bolster the efforts in tracking down at least 20 suspects facing charges including attempted murder and armed robbery, the Hawks have announced that they too will offer a substantial reward for information provided by whistleblowers that results in arrest and conviction.

The public is encouraged to play an active role in aiding law enforcement. For those who have information, they can contact Steven Kruger at 0832693403 or via email at investigation@za.g4s.com.

This cooperative approach between the Hawks and G4S Cash Solutions signifies a determined response to the spate of violent crimes targeting cash-in-transit vehicles in South Africa, particularly in the Eastern Cape, which have put both security personnel and citizens at risk. The call for public assistance demonstrates the authorities’ reliance on community involvement and the necessity of public vigilance to ensure safety and security in the region.