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A high-stakes confrontation erupted on the N2 highway near Mhlakulo, when members of the South African Tactical Response Team (TRT) intercepted robbers poised to perform a cash-in-transit heist. The suspects, cornered outside Tsolo, in the Eastern Cape, engaged in a violent shootout with the police officers, which resulted in two suspects being shot dead at the scene on Monday afternoon, 11 November 2024.
The intelligence-driven operation was the result of meticulous police work, following up on critical information regarding the robbers' whereabouts. The suspects had been linked to several cash-in-transit robberies within both the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Acting on this information, TRT members identified a suspicious Polo Vivo traveling along the N2 highway and moved in for interception near Mthatha.
As officers attempted to apprehend the suspects, the pursued vehicle came to a halt, and without warning, the suspects opened fire on the police. The trained officers, prepared for the worst, returned fire in self-defense. In the ensuing shootout, two of the suspects were fatally wounded.
The area was immediately cordoned off as a crime scene, and upon investigation, the police recovered two unlicensed firearms - a pistol and a revolver. The presence of these weapons substantiated the officers' suspicions and corroborated the intelligence received.
Following the incident, the police have opened cases of attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, and possession of ammunition for further investigation. The incident was contained without any casualties reported among the police officers involved.
In accordance with standard procedure given the use of lethal force, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will oversee an Inquest to ensure that the operation adhered to all legal and operational guidelines. This oversight aims to maintain public trust in law enforcement operations and uphold the principles of justice and transparency.
This decisive action by the TRT not only thwarted a potential cash-in-transit heist but also served as a stark reminder of the risks that law enforcement agencies routinely face in their effort to maintain public safety and security. The firearms recovery also aids in the ongoing battle against illegal arms, often used to perpetrate violent crimes.
High crime rates, particularly incidents involving cash-in-transit heists, are a significant issue in South Africa, with police constantly upgrading their methods and strategies to combat organized criminal activities.