Police probing link of seized rifles, ammunition to N12 heist
Gauteng police have recovered two rifles, AK-47, magazines, and 71 rounds of ammunition it suspects could linked to the recent cash-in-transit heist on the N12.
The heist took place on Saturday when a group of robbers blew up a cash-in-transit van on the N12, south of Johannesburg.
The gang if armed robbers bombed the vehicle along the N12 near Diepkloof, Soweto.
The suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says several cars, including a VW Golf GTI, a white Mitsubishi Pajero, a black Range Rover, and a white Toyota Fortuner are believed to have been used in the crime.
The latest incident in Johannesburg comes after several cash-in-transit heists in various parts of the country including in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo.
A week ago, four people were killed in a shootout with police in KwaMashu, north of Durban on Friday morning.
It's believed the suspects have been involved in a spate of cash-in-transit robberies in eThekwini.
Mathe says an intelligence-driven operation led the police to a backroom in Mapetla, Soweto.
"At the said identified address, police forced open a backroom where they found and seized two rifle’s including an AK-47, magazines and 71 rounds of ammunition.
"These rifles have been taken in for Ballistics testing to determine their linkage to other CITs and associated robberies.
"During the search and seize operation, balaclavas, handcuffs, beanies, protective shoes as well as cash receipt slips of bank deposits were also seized," says Mathe.
She adds that police investigations and the tracing of a group of between 15 to 20 suspects continue.
"Members of the public are once again reminded that picking up money from CIT crime scenes is a crime and those found to be doing so can be charged with theft and defeating the ends of justice," says Mathe.
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