GAUTENG premier David Makhura has commended the South African Police Services for the swift arrest of a violent gang of robbers, including two police officers following a deadly shoot-out on Monday afternoon.
According to the provincial government, Gauteng police intercepted a gang of about 25 gunmen from KwaZulu-Natal, Zimbabwe and Botswana while planning a cash-in-transit heist in Rosettenville. The police were able to apprehend eight suspects and have launched a manhunt for the nine who fled.
“We commend the Gauteng multidisciplinary law enforcement teams for working together in a sophisticated manner which led to the arrest of these criminals. As the provincial government we value their
determination to win the war against crime,” said Makhura.
The premier strongly condemned the two officers for working with criminals.
“We expect them to serve and protect communities from criminals. We are disappointed and expect the law to take its cause. Those who engage in criminal activities must face the full might of the law,” said Makhura.
The premier highlighted that the provincial government has established a War Room on fighting crime as part of building safer communities. The War Room on crime brings together all spheres of government, civil society, the private sector and critical stakeholders.
“There is no place for criminals to hide in Gauteng. We call upon the people of Gauteng to join hands with the government in the fight against crime,” said Makhura.
During the shootout, three members of the South African Police Service including an airborne law enforcement officer were shot and wounded when police intercepted the suspects allegedly on their way to commit a cash-in-transit heist robbery.
Last week, the South African Police Services’ Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation detained two officers from the Crime Intelligence Unit on suspicion of conducting criminal activities with a gang of four to six individuals who are suspected of being involved in varous robberies in Gauteng.
The suspects were arrested for conspiracy to conduct armed robbery, attempted murder, possession of illegal guns and ammunition, possession of a stolen vehicle, and police impersonation.
Their arrest came as a result of a sting operation conducted by the Hawks Serious Organized Crime Tactical Operations Management Section in collaboration with the SAPS Airwing, the Special Task Force, the Tshwane Tactical Response Team, the Gauteng Traffic Police Saturation Unit, K9 unit, Tracker Connect, and Badboyz Security.
- * Inside Politics
