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In a surprising twist of events on Monday, 15 July 2024, police in Tsolo successfully intercepted a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist on the N2, resulting in the death of one suspect. The heist, which involved 11 suspects, was foiled by members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT).
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa detailed the events, stating that upon their arrival at the scene, the TRT members were informed that some of the suspects had fled into the nearby bushes. In the ensuing chase, four suspects were apprehended.
During the pursuit, one suspect attempted to escape in a Nissan NP200, which was later found abandoned with explosives inside. The investigation led police to several houses in the Sidwadweni Administrative Area in Tsolo, where a significant cache of weaponry and other items were discovered. The haul included four unlicensed rifles, explosives, explosive devices, a bag full of clothes, 161 rifle cartridges, and seven magazines.
Additionally, police confiscated four vehicles: a Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Etios, Ford Eco Sport, and Hyundai Getz.
Lieutenant Colonel Mawisa further reported that during the search of the premises, TRT members arrested two suspicious men who were found with explosives in their possession. Two other suspects, armed with a rifle and a bag, fled on foot into the bushes and engaged the pursuing TRT members in a gunfight. One suspect was shot dead, while the other was arrested.
Six suspects connected to the robbery remain at large. The four apprehended suspects, aged between 33 and 55, are expected to appear in court soon. They face multiple charges, including attempted CIT robbery, attempted murder, possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The Hawks have now taken over the investigation, continuing the pursuit of the remaining suspects and delving deeper into the details of this attempted heist.
This incident follows a series of related activities on Monday in areas such as Bizana and Lusikisiki, where a security guard was fatally wounded and a police officer was killed.
