KwaZulu-Natal police have fatally shot a notorious cash-in-transit robbery suspect during a violent confrontation in Verulam on Friday evening.
Authorities stated that the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court had issued an arrest warrant for the individual earlier this year, tied to a cash heist he participated in during May 2022. He is reportedly linked to at least 23 other cash-in-transit robbery cases.
Colonel Robert Netshiunda, spokesperson for the KZN South African Police Service (SAPS), explained that police conducted an intelligence-led operation that located the suspect and his accomplices on New Glasgow Main Road.
“When police attempted to stop the suspects’ vehicle, a white single-cab bakkie fled the scene, while a silver sedan pulled over and the passenger opened fire on the officers,” Netshiunda said.
In response, the police returned fire, resulting in two suspects being shot and killed. Authorities recovered two firearms at the scene—a rifle and a pistol.
“Initial investigations revealed that the rifle was stolen during a cash-in-transit robbery in Verulam in August. The pistol, which had its serial number erased, was identified as a police-issued firearm,” added Netshiunda.
A warrant for the arrest of the 55-year-old suspect had been issued by the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court in May, following a conspiracy charge related to the 2022 cash-in-transit robbery.
“A manhunt is currently underway for the other suspects who managed to evade capture,” Netshiunda confirmed.
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