OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 5.00pm
A SUSPECTED robber was shot dead and another seriously injured after police intercepted what they believe to be a heist attempt on the Modderfontein Road in Ivory Park, Midrand on Monday.
Police spokesman Captain Hannes Lombaard said police were travelling on the Modderfontein Road toward Kempton Park at about 3.30pm when they saw six men in a white bakkie driving behind a Coin Security vehicle. “Police felt something was wrong and started following them into Ivory Park,” Lombaard said.
The occupants of the bakkie then opened fire on the police using a 9mm pistol and AK47s. In return gunfire, one man was killed and the other injured.
Earlier on Monday, a security van belonging to Khulani Springbok Patrols carrying R4-million in pension money was attacked on the Pretoria-Moloto road by a large gang of armed men in several cars. The gang opened fire on the cash van and guards returned fire, driving the attackers off. The van’s driver then headed straight to the nearest police station.
Meanwhile, Collin Chauke, believed to be the mastermind behind the spate of cash-in-transit heists, said in an interview with City Press on Sunday that he is prepared to turn himself in subject to certain conditions. It is believed Chauke has been negotiating with government officials over telling all about his involvement in the multi-million-rand robberies, in return for immunity from prosecution.
Police superintendent Bushie Engelbrecht, the officer in charge of investigating the heists, however, says he is not interested in doing deals with criminals. Engelbrecht added he is certain Chauke will be arrested by Christmas, after which police will take action against all those who have been protecting him, even if they turn out to be police.