Two suspects linked to Monday’s cash-in-transit robbery in Verulam were shot dead in a shootout with police in Edendale, uMgungundlovu District, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The Verulam Heist
On Monday afternoon, a gang of approximately 12 heavily armed suspects intercepted a cash-in-transit vehicle at the corner of Jabu Ngcobo and Fairview roads in Verulam . The suspects brought the cash delivery truck to a standstill, robbed security guards of their three firearms, and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash after detonating explosives on the armoured vehicle .
Members of the public alerted Reaction Unit South Africa after hearing explosions on Old Inanda Road in Brindhaven . When RUSA officers arrived at the scene, they encountered heavily armed suspects believed to be acting as spotters. A shootout ensued during which a RUSA response vehicle was struck by two bullets, though no injuries were reported . The suspects fled in two vehicles toward Inanda .
Edendale Shootout
Just after midnight on Tuesday, police gathered intelligence that some of the suspects were hiding in the Nhlazatshe area in Shayamoya, Edendale . When officers arrived at the house, a shootout ensued between police and the suspects .
“Two suspects were shot and fatally wounded during the shootout, and one suspect narrowly evaded arrest,” said KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda .
Police recovered three firearms—two rifles and a handgun—along with several rounds of ammunition from the suspects . A VW Polo allegedly used in the commission of the robbery was also found at the scene, along with a bakkie containing numerous number plates .
The search for the remaining suspects is ongoing. No police officers were injured during the operation .