Issued by: SA Communication Service
2 February 1998
MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSIONER OF THE SA POLICE SERVICE: COMMISSIONER GEORGE FIVAZ.
Growing SAPS intelligence capabilities and a ruthless hardline approach towards criminals resulted in the arrest of 11 heavily armed suspects in the single biggest breakthrough against transit heists to date.
The breakthrough was made near Welkom in the Free State yesterday after a combined operation by SAPS components including, Free State Murder and Robbery Unites, the Special Task Force, SAPS Air Wing, Internal Security and Public Order Police.
This operation illustrates the hardline approach I have instructed SAPS to adopt towards such criminals - criminal violence will be met with overwhelming legitimate force.
The fact that this gang was intercepted whilst allegedly on its way to carry out a heist of cash in transit near Welkom is a tribute to growing SAPS intelligence capability and intelligence penetration of crime syndicates.
Two stolen vehicles, four AK-47 rifles, one R5 rifle, one 9mm pistol, one .38 revolver and one .38 pistol were seized after a brief shootout in which one of the suspects was wounded.
The heavily-armed suspects surrendered after only a very brief exchange of fire when they realised just how potentially lethal the firepower deployed against them was.
This lesson must be noted by all criminal syndicates, especially armed robbers, who can expect exactly the same treatment in future.
This kind of action shows just what the SAPS is capable of and those members involved deserve only the highest praise from both SAPS top management, the business sector and the public.
INQUIRIES: SUPERINTENDENT MARTIN AYLWARD: 082 800 0513.