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- Five police officers and two security guards were shot after a failed theft of cash in transit in Rustenburg.
- One of the robbers was shot and killed.
- Police say they are still looking for the others.
Five members of the Rustenburg Flying Squad and the K9 Unit, and two Fidelity security guards, are in hospital with gunshot wounds following a botched theft of cash in transit (CIT) in Rustenburg in the northwest.
A suspect died.
According to police spokeswoman Colonel Brenda Muridili, police officers followed up on information about a CIT theft in Geelhoutpark, Rustenburg on Thursday.
READ | Police search suspects after van theft and shooting in Vanderbijlpark
“Police were on high alert while patrolling the area. While driving down Watsonia Road, they came across the active scene of a CIT robbery. Suspects fired at police vehicles and members retaliated,” Muridili said.
“The unknown number of suspects got into their getaway vehicles and fled the scene. Police pursued them [to] Tlhabane Shopping Center, where another shooting occurred, resulting in five members suffering gunshot wounds while a suspect was fatally injured. At the scene of the robbery, two security guards were also injured during the shooting. All the injured have been taken to hospital for medical attention. ”
Muridili said provincial police instituted a 72-hour wake-up plan to ensure all actors were tied up to investigate and track down the perpetrators.
National Police Commissioner General Khehla John Sitole praised the police for their bravery and wished them, as well as the injured security guards, a speedy recovery.
“We appeal to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of suspects to call Crime Stop 08600 10111 or send information about the My SAPS application,” Muridili said.
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