Suspected syndicate behind supply of explosives nabbed

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Police nabbed a syndicate believed to be selling and supplying cash-in-transit (CIT) armed robberies, ATM bombing and illegal mining suspects with explosives in Welkom, Free State. 

The syndicate comprising of three men and a woman were arrested during a tracing operation on Wednesday afternoon. 

The suspects are believed to be involved in a number of cases where explosives were used in the commission of crimes such as ATM bombings, CIT’s and illicit mining activities in the Free State, Eastern Cape, North West and Gauteng, said national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

“The suspects were found with forty explosives and a number of explosives accessories. Through Operation Shanela police have seized 11 481 explosives during roadblocks, tracing as well as stop and search operations since May 2023,” she revealed.

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Brigadier Athlenda Mathe added that 173 suspects have also been arrested during the same period for the illegal possession of explosives . 

She continued; “All four suspects are expected to appear before the Welkom magistrate’s court on Friday, February 23 on charges relating to contravening Explosives Act 26 of 1956. 

Meanwhile, two suspected cash in transit robbers were fatally wounded during a shootout with police at U Section in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday night.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, law enforcements officers were investigating a cross pavement cash in transit robbery where a cash in transit security guard was accosted by at least three suspects who robbed him.

“An undisclosed amount of money and his service firearm were taken when he walked out of a store in Isipingo where he had just collected the money. 

“Before fleeing from the scene, the suspects fired shots randomly and a woman was shot and injured.

“Swift investigations by the police led the tracking team to a house in Umlazi where two suspects were cornered inside the house. The suspects opened fire at the police, sparking a shootout,” he remarked.

Col Netshiunda stated that two suspects were fatally wounded during the shootout and two firearms were found in their possession and no police officer was injured during the shootout.

Two other suspects evaded arrest and a manhunt for them is underway.