BOTSHABELO: A multi-disciplinary police operation investigating the cash-in-transit robbery which occurred on the N8 near Botshabelo has yielded the arrest of one male suspect. The team comprised the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI), Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Visible Policing, Explosives Unit, and the Local Criminal Record Center (LCRC).
The brazen cash heist occurred yesterday, on Tuesday, 2 September at about 09:00 on N8, west of Botshabelo. No fatalities were reported. The suspect is expected to appear in the Botshabelo Magistrates Court tomorrow, Thursday, 4 September.
WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, says intelligence-driven information led the team to a house in Section H Botshabelo where two vehicles fitting the description of those used in the robbery were found. “A search of the house and vehicles led to the discovery of several assault rifles, a pistol, rounds of ammunition, bullet-resistant vests, clothing items, and an unknown concoction inside a bottle. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect. A vehicle he was driving was also recovered,” says Matoti.
Matoti says initial charges include armed robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition relating to the Firearms Control Act. She says one of the recovered vehicles was reported as stolen in Bloemfontein in May this year.
A group of heavily armed men travelling in a BMW reportedly rammed into a cash vehicle, resulting in it overturning. They managed to take an undisclosed amount of cash and thereafter fled the scene in a grey Toyota Hilux, driving in the direction of Botshabelo.
Matoti says gunshots were fired during the brazen robbery incident. “The security personnel sustained minor injuries as the vehicle overturned. We do not rule out the possibility that the robbers could be linked to other robberies,” says Matoti, adding that the investigations are ongoing.
