File
The Hawks said six suspects were arrested following a dramatic cash-in-transit robbery in Gqeberha on Monday which led to a shootout between police and the armed gang.
Hawks Eastern Cape spokesperson, Captain Ndiphiwe Mkhlakuvana, said a G4S security vehicle was attacked on the M17 at Motherwell at around 16:20.
He said gunmen in two bakkies fired shots at the vehicle forcing it to stop, adding that explosives were then used to blow open the armoured vehicle.
Mhlakuvana said the gang then took an undisclosed amount of money and fled in different directions.
He said in the meantime a multi-disciplinary team was activated to respond to the armed robbery and were confronted by suspects in one vehicle who opened fire on the police as they fled towards Kwazakhele.
The Hawks said they abandoned their vehicle and hijacked a motorist, but then a few metres away also jumped out of the car and fled on foot.
Mhlakuvana said six suspects were subsequently arrested, with four of them sustaining injuries.
“Rifles, pistols, cell phones, balaclavas and hand gloves were recovered from the suspects,” he added.
He also said the security officers were injured in the attack and taken to hospital for treatment.
A firearm taken from one of the security officers was recovered.
