Over 200 suspects arrested for cash heists
Police Minister Bheki Cele has confirmed that 237 suspects linked to cash-in-transit (CIT) heists have been arrested since the first of April 2018.
Cele was briefing the media in Pretoria on the developments of various investigations.
It follows Cele's announcement in June that a multi-disciplinary operation was established that included the Hawks and with the aim to track down CIT suspects.
That followed a sharp increase in daring heists on congested roads and in broad daylight.
"As from the 1st of April 2018 to the 4th of November 2018, 118 cash-in-transit robberies have been recorded across the nine provinces compared to the same period last year of 184 cases recorded in 2017," says Cele.
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He adds authorities expect to make more arrests this year, in comparison to 2017.
Items recovered include 92 vehicles, 78 fire-arms, 1042 rounds of ammunition and a substantial amount of money.
A police official is among those arrested.
"Furthermore, in the North West Province in Brits one SAPS Sargent was arrested, two vehicles, a BMW and Mercedes Benz were recovered. The BMW belonging to the sergeant contained several sets of police uniform, reflector jackets and one handgun," says Cele.
Cele says some of the suspects were arrested while they were busy plotting heists.
"So we arrest them in their basis even before they go on the streets to actualise their plans."