Bailed Robbers Strike Again: Tshwane CIT Heist Foiled in Dramatic Police Chase

Five arrested after explosive highway showdown; six suspects still at large

There’s no shortage of drama on Gauteng’s roads, but last Thursday’s action-packed chase through Tshwane felt more like a scene out of a gritty crime thriller than real life.

In the quiet township of Ekangala, north of Johannesburg, a cash-in-transit (CIT) truck came under violent attack. A gang of heavily armed robbers — some shockingly out on bail for previous CIT crimes rammed the armored vehicle with a BMW before blasting it open and grabbing bags of cash.

But this time, their luck ran out.

Police spring into action

Quick to respond were members of Gauteng Highway Patrol, who gave chase after spotting two getaway cars: a silver Mercedes-Benz and a Mazda CX-3.

As the robbers sped along the N12, they opened fire on police who fired right back. The high-speed shootout ended with one of the cars spinning out of control. The suspects bolted on foot, fleeing into nearby veld while still shooting.

It didn’t take long before backup including private security officers joined the manhunt. Within hours, five men between the ages of 35 and 50 were in custody. In one of the recovered vehicles, police found more than 100 rounds of ammunition.

Out on bail… again?

The part that has left locals gobsmacked is this: the arrested men are no strangers to crime scenes. All five were reportedly out on bail for previous cash-in-transit robberies committed across Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga.

It’s the kind of revolving door justice system that frustrates both law enforcement and communities. And now, with six suspects still on the run, there’s every reason to fear they’ll try again.

Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said more arrests are likely. The men will face charges ranging from attempted murder to robbery and illegal possession of ammunition when they appear at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

A bigger problem across Gauteng

While this foiled heist is a win for law enforcement, Gauteng’s cash-in-transit crime wave continues to rise — albeit slightly.

Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, Gauteng’s Police Commissioner, confirmed this during the release of the province’s latest crime stats. From January to March 2025, CIT robberies and truck hijackings saw a marginal increase.

But behind those numbers are communities living in fear, roads that feel unsafe, and families whose breadwinners risk their lives to transport cash or drive delivery trucks.

“This shouldn’t be normal” Public reaction

On social media, residents expressed mixed feelings relief that the police intervened, and disbelief that repeat offenders were walking free.

“Out on bail AGAIN? What’s even the point?” one user tweeted. Another added, “Well done SAPS. Now let’s hope they don’t get bail a second time.”

What’s really at stake

These aren’t petty crimes. Cash-in-transit heists are calculated, violent, and often funded by syndicates that prey on South Africa’s overburdened justice system. Every time suspects walk free only to reoffend, the credibility of the system takes another hit.

The successful arrests last week prove that police are capable and ready. But the question remains: Will the courts keep these suspects off the streets long enough for communities to feel safe again?

As we wait for Monday’s court appearance and more updates from the investigation, one thing is certain Gauteng’s war on CIT crime is far from over. But at least for now, five fewer guns are off the streets.

{Source: The Citizen}

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