Six suspects arrested in Gqeberha cash-in-transit heist and shoot-out

A cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery on the M17 near Motherwell ended in the arrest of six men, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as the Hawks) said.

The suspects, aged between 28 and 42, are linked to the attack on a G4S armored vehicle carrying an undisclosed amount of money on Monday.

The Hawks said the armored vehicle was ambushed at around 4.20pm by suspects driving two white bakkies. The attackers fired a hail of bullets, forcing the vehicle to stop. Explosives were reportedly used to access the money.

"It is further alleged that three guards were injured during the attack as they sustained bullet wounds," said Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana.

"An undisclosed amount of money was taken by the suspects,"

The Hawks, supported by units including Gqeberha Public Order Police (POP), Tactical Response Team, and Motherwell Visible Policing, responded to the incident.

On their way to the scene, the team encountered a second group of armed suspects, sparking a shoot-out. The suspects abandoned one bakkie and hijacked an Audi A1 in a desperate bid to escape.

Police reports indicate the suspects later fled on foot after abandoning the Audi.

Six individuals were arrested, and several weapons were recovered at the scene, including five rifles, two pistols, gloves, balaclavas, and G4S cash bags.

"An intelligence information was received while processing the scene about the second bakkie where it was found abandoned at Soweto Township in Ggeberha," said Mhlakuvana.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Motherwell Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, December 11, to face charges related to the robbery, possession of firearms, and hijacking.

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