Issued by: Ministry for Safety and Security
MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY, MR SYDNEY MUFAMADI, PRETORIA
1998-01-28
CONGRATULATIONS FOR SAPS MEMBERS AND FIDELITY GUARD MAN ON THE ARREST OF SUSPECTS INVOLVED IN HEISTS
I have been briefed by a team headed by Director Johan Raubenheimer of the Gauteng Provincial investigation unit on the arrest of 10 suspects allegedly involved in the attempted heist this week on the East Rand.
I wish to congratulate Director Raubenheimer and his team as well as Supt Rudi Van Olst of the East Rand Murder and Robbery Unit for the praiseworthy effort they are putting into investigating this matter.
On behalf of the Government and my personal behalf, I would also like to commend Mr Taljaard of the Fidelity guards for his sterling performance in foiling the attempted heist. He put his own life on the line by fighting a lone battle against heavily armed criminals and his effort was crowned with success. We are proud of him.
The lesson to be drawn from this incident is that if private security companies involved in the transportation of cash and the SAPS could combine and coordinate resources, our prospects of defeating the criminal, would look brighter.
This breakthrough and the investigation, as it is currently unfolding, have reinforced by conviction that the criminals are doomed to lose their war.
Again I want to assure director Raubenheimer and his team that they have my support all the way. Everything possible will be done to facilitate their work.
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