In Limpopo, a recent operation led to the detention of 18 suspects tied to a string of cash-in-transit incidents. Local media described the development as a significant disruption to a criminal network that police say has plagued multiple provinces. The incident occurred on a Friday, with the Stars reporting the events based on information from police sources.
Fannie Masemola, head of the South African Police Service (SAPS), disclosed that the individuals were believed to be planning a cash-in-transit heist. He noted that similar activities have been linked to other provinces, including Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Masemola stressed that the suspect group had attracted focused attention from various SAPS units, given the pattern of crimes associated with them and the potential threat to public safety. He added that surveillance in Makhado had been ongoing for several days before a target address was successfully intercepted.
A SAPS representative described the moment of contact with the suspects: as officers approached the address, the group opened fire, prompting a sustained exchange of gunfire. The ensuing confrontation lasted roughly 90 minutes, resulting in the deaths of 16 men and two women. One police officer, a veteran from the Priority Crimes Investigation Directorate, sustained injuries and was treated at a medical facility. The injured officer, described as a high-ranking official within the directorate, received immediate care before being hospitalized for further observation.
Following the firefight, authorities arrested four additional suspects at a second location. Investigators reported the seizure of seven automatic rifles and ten vehicles, including several high-performance models, underscoring the scale of the operation and the resources reportedly used by the gang. Masemola confirmed that experts remain stationed at the site to ensure security and to support ongoing investigations as police intensify their presence in the region. He reiterated the assessment that the organization had been implicated in multiple cash robberies within the province, a conclusion supported by ongoing intelligence work and forensic analysis.
Law enforcement officials emphasized the need for continuous vigilance and coordinated action across the country to disrupt such networks. The broader response involves enhanced patrols, routine reviews of intelligence data, and collaboration with regional partners to track similar crime clusters. Authorities underscored that every effort would be made to pursue justice while preserving public safety, sending a clear message that cash-in-transit criminals face serious consequences. The case continues to unfold as investigators piece together the network’s operations, transport arrangements, and the flow of loot across provincial lines. Citations for this report include the local press coverage and police statements (The Star, police sources) acknowledging the complexity of the investigation and the perseverance of officers involved in this high-stakes operation.