Daring CIT Heist Foiled: Eastern Cape Hawks and Police Recover Stolen Cash and Arms

EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA - In a remarkable feat of policing, the Hawks, together with local law enforcement, launched a successful operation against a gang responsible for an audacious cash-in-transit robbery. Early morning on 29 July 2024, an armored SBV vehicle was ambushed while in transit from East London to Stutterheim. In a coordinated and violent onslaught that left three guards injured and an escort vehicle shot at, the criminals managed to commandeer an undisclosed sum of money before fleeing the crime scene, leaving behind a trail that included several stolen vehicles and explosives.

However, their freedom was short-lived. Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, Provincial Head, praised the swift collaboration between the Hawks' Interim CIT task team and the Tactical Response Team (TRT), which apprehended the suspects in Keiskammahoek mere hours after the incident. As the authorities honed in on a suspicious homestead in Kom location, they were met with fierce resistance. A gunfight ensued, resulting in five assailants fatally wounded, and the capture of a 58-year old suspect, the homeowner.

This fast-paced action led to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons including AK 47s, R1 and R5 rifles, magazines, and a vast quantity of ammunition, alongside the stolen cash still in its original money bags. The success of the operation symbolizes a significant blow to criminal networks, particularly those targeting CIT operations.

The crackdown continued as intelligence led to a high-speed pursuit between Queenstown and Cradock. A suspicious Porsche, bearing a GP registration from Gauteng, attempted to evade the authorities. What followed was a meticulously coordinated roadblock outside Tarkastad that saw a collaboration between Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, Cradock SAPS K9 (Dog Unit), Cradock Visible Police, Cradock Public Order Police, and Local Criminal Record Centre members. The chase culminated in the deployment of "conventional methods" to safely apprehend three suspects aged between 44 to 48.

The recovery from the Porsche included cash in stacks of R100 and R200 notes, four burner cellphones, and the luxury vehicle itself, which was confirmed as stolen from Gauteng. These arrests add another layer to the police's relentless pursuit of justice, undercutting the criminals' logistics and financial resources.

The suspects are currently in custody and are set to appear at the King William's Town and Cradock Magistrate’s Courts. As these court proceedings draw near, the community breathes easier, knowing their protectors are on the alert, demonstrating skill and bravery against the scourge of organized crime.