A coordinated intelligence-led operation culminated in a fatal shootout on Friday evening, resulting in the deaths of four cash-in-transit robbery suspects and the arrest of a fifth.
The incident, which took place on November 7, 2025, at approximately 17:30, began to unfold after police from Crime Intelligence in Pretoria received a tip-off about a planned cash-in-transit robbery in the Bronkhorstspruit area.
A multi-disciplinary team of law enforcement officers immediately operationalised the information. While on observation duty, the team spotted a white Fiat on the R25 road towards Bronkhorstspruit. Upon attempting to intercept the vehicle, the suspects opened fire on the officers, triggering a shootout.
Three suspects were fatally wounded at the scene. A pistol and a rifle were recovered from the vehicle.
The operation quickly expanded as a second vehicle linked to the suspects, a white Toyota Corolla, was identified in the Welbekend area. Police attempted to stop this vehicle, leading to another exchange of gunfire. One suspect was fatally shot during this confrontation, while a fifth suspect managed to flee the scene on foot. From this vehicle, law enforcement recovered an AK-47 rifle with two loaded magazines.
Following further investigation, police located the suspects’ safe house in Dennilton, Limpopo Province. There, they recovered explosives and a Mercedes Benz that had been reported hijacked in Enkangala, Tshwane. The fifth suspect, who had fled on foot earlier, was tracked down and arrested at this location.
The successful foiling of the planned robbery was attributed to a extensive collaboration between several units. These included the SAPS Counter Intelligence Head Office, SAPS Gauteng TRT (Tactical Response Team), SAPS Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit, SAPS Airwing (Pretoria), the Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, and the DPCI (Hawks) Gauteng Tracking Team. Private security companies, operating under the Eyes and Ears Initiative in collaboration with Business Against Crime South Africa, also played a key role.
Police have opened investigations into cases of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms, amongst other charges.