The death toll following a shootout between South African police and a gang of heavily armed cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers in Limpopo Province on Friday has risen to 19.
Police swooped in on a luxury villa in Makhado on Friday evening.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola that police intended “to arrest them before they go out and commit the crime”.
However, the police officers were met with gunfire by the gang and a shootout, which lasted about 90 minutes, ensued.
Initially, Police said 18 suspects were killed during the shootout, but while processing the scene on Saturday, they found another body of a male.
<a href="https://ewn.co.za/2023/09/03/limpopo-shootout-death-toll-rises-to-19-officer-loses-leg">Eyewitness News</a> quoted the Provincial Communication Officer at Limpopo Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Matimba Maluleke, as saying:
<blockquote>
As we were busy processing the scene, we discovered another body in the house. That brings the total of the deceased persons to 19 – 17 males and two females.
</blockquote>
He said police also discovered three vehicles allegedly stolen in Gauteng. Said Maluleke:
<blockquote>
We also found three vehicles that were reportedly stolen in Gauteng. It was a Ford Ranger, a VW Tiguan and a Mercedes Benz ML.
</blockquote>
A seasoned Hawks officer involved in Friday’s shooting, Lieutenant Colonel Joe Coetzer, was injured during the shootout and has had his leg amputated.
Police said Coetzer was airlifted to hospital following the shootout. Despite medical intervention, surgeons could not save his leg.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said the fatal shooting of the suspects sent a strong message to criminals that police wouldn’t hesitate to respond to criminality.
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Pindula News

Death Toll In Limpopo Shootout Rises To 19

Police in South Africa on Friday killed 18 suspected robbers during a shootout in Limpopo Province.
According to National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, the suspects were planning a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist.
Speaking on Friday from the crime scene in Makhado, Masemola said the suspects were responsible for similar crimes in other provinces. He said:
<blockquote>
We do believe this syndicate has been involved in a number of CITs in this province, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
</blockquote>
Masemola said one police officer was “injured very seriously” in the shootout, which lasted about 90 minutes.
In a statement, the South African Police Service (SAPS), said an investigation began in January with the help of the country’s intelligence unit, and the police had been tracking the suspects’ movements for a few days. Part of the statement reads:
<blockquote>
As soon as police approached the address, the group of suspects began shooting, and police retaliated. Sixteen males and two females were declared dead at the scene.
</blockquote>
Masemola said that police intended “to arrest them before they go out and commit the crime”.
Cash truck heists happen regularly in South Africa, and in 2022, 10 suspects died during a cash-in-transit shootout with police.
The would-be robbers had fired at a police helicopter and wounded one of the pilots.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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