A Task team assembled to trace and arrest suspects responsible for incidents of ATM bombings across Limpopo province made a major breakthrough in apprehending ten suspects aged between 24 and 30 during multidisciplinary “Operation Take down” that commenced on Monday 15 May 2023 in Gauteng province.
During this operation items including vehicles, firearms and explosives were seized.
Following a string of business robberies committed specifically in the Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Mopani districts where a group of heavily armed suspects attacked filling stations and explosives were donated to access cash from drop-in-safes and ATMs, the Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe activated a Task team comprised of highly skilled investigators to hunt down the perpetrators, hence the major breakthrough.
The multi-disciplinary police team composed of Limpopo Provincial Tracking team, Murder and Robbery Unit, Organised Crime Unit, Flying Squad joined by Gauteng LCRC with assistance from the Private Security and Investigation Company.
The suspects were positively linked with 10 cases, the latest being an ATM bombing that took place at Ga-Mashashane outside Polokwane on Tuesday 16 May 2023 that resulted in a shootout with the security guards.
The suspects were cornered at Soweto, Randfontein, Mabopane, Orange Farm and they were found in possession of dye-stained bank notes, some explosives, 3 firearms and 18 live ammunition.
Police also confiscated two motor vehicles.
The team is working tirelessly to effect more arrests and there is a possibility that the suspects might be linked to more cases.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe is highly impressed with the diligent work of this team of members which resulted in the major breakthrough.
Nine suspects have been identified as Lesotho Nationals and they were found to be in the country illegally.
The other suspect is a South African.
The suspects are facing charges of armed robbery, ATM bombing, possession of dye-stained money, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of explosives and contravention of the immigration Act and they will appear before respective Magistrate’s Courts in due course.
