GAUTENG — A major cash-in-transit robbery plot was thwarted following a coordinated Daveyton safe house raid by the Gauteng SAPS and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), resulting in the seizure of a massive cache of illegal firearms and a stolen vehicle.
Acting on targeted intelligence, law enforcement officers descended upon a residential property in the East Rand on Wednesday evening. The operation was designed to intercept a suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery gang before they could execute their planned attack.
Upon searching the premises, authorities uncovered a significant arsenal intended for the heist. Recovered items included seven rifles, one pistol, and several reflector jackets commonly used by tactical robbery syndicates. Police also recovered a hijacked BMW X5 linked to the gang’s operations.
Despite the successful seizure of the weapons and the vehicle, several known suspects managed to evade capture during the initial raid. An intensive overnight manhunt has been launched to trace and arrest the fleeing individuals.
Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, the Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), commended the seamless coordination between the Gauteng police, intelligence structures, detectives, and the EMPD. She highlighted the operation as a major victory in the ongoing battle against heavily armed syndicates.
“This intelligence-driven operation is a clear indication that the SAPS remains resolute in its mission to combat cash-in-transit robberies and other serious and violent crimes,” said Lieutenant General Dimpane. “We have made significant inroads in dismantling CIT syndicates, and we will continue to deal decisively with those who terrorise our communities and endanger the lives of innocent citizens.”
The Acting National Commissioner also issued a stark warning to those still at large and to other criminal networks operating within the province, emphasizing that advancements in police intelligence are rapidly shrinking their window of opportunity.
“Cash-in-transit robberies are highly organised and violent crimes that require a coordinated response from law enforcement,” Lieutenant General Dimpane stated. “Our intelligence capabilities continue to improve, and we are closing in on those responsible. We will hunt them down, arrest them and ensure they face the full might of the law.”
Investigations at the Daveyton safe house are ongoing as forensic teams process the scene. Authorities expect more arrests to be made as the manhunt intensifies and intelligence continues to be analyzed to dismantle the broader network linked to the gang.
