Suspects in foiled Khayelitsha CIT heist to appear in court

Five suspects arrested in Khayelitsha on the Cape Flats following a shootout with police are expected to appear in the local magistrate’s court this morning.

They face numerous charges including the alleged illegal possession of unlicenced firearms and ammunition, possession of explosives and attempted murder.

Eight suspects were shot dead when they opened fire on police following a foiled cash-in-transit heist on Monday night.

Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa says they seized eleven rifles, two pistols and three explosive charges.

Meanwhile, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has applauded officers for intercepting the cash-in-transit robbery.

Mnchunu says it is the job of the police to intercept crimes.

“We welcome what police did in Khayelitsha…because they got intelligence information about what would have been an attack on business, they were planning to attack, and they were intercepted. That is the duty of the police to intercept crimes so that we bring the number down.”

“But we also welcome the seizure of those firearms … the rifles including an R-1 and so on. Those are high calibre weapons including pistols and all that.”

VIDEO | An arsenal of weapons found in specialised operation: