Police Fatally Wound 5 CIT Heist Suspects in Johannesburg, SA Wants the Masterminds Apprehended
- A collaborative effort between officers from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal foiled the robbery plans of five cash-in-transit (CIT) heist suspects
- The suspects attempted to flee after they were spotted by officers and eventually crashed into a palisade fence at Crown Mines, Johannesburg
- South Africans took to social media to share their thoughts on the latest shootout with police to leave numerous suspects fatally wounded
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Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – Five cash-in-transit (CIT) heist suspects were fatally wounded in a shootout with police at Crown Mines, Johannesburg.
The incident happened on the evening of 24 July 2025, following a high-speed chase on the M1/M2 highway split. The shootout occurred when the men attempted to flee after officers in the area spotted them.
What happened to the men?
According to police, a crime intelligence-led operation by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng officers led them to the area where the suspects were said to be planning to commit a CIT heist. Officers spotted the vehicle on the M1/M2 highway split, prompting the men to speed off.
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They opened fire on police during a high-speed chase, and officers retaliated. The suspects’ vehicle then crashed into a palisade fence, and all five men were declared dead. An AK-47, a pistol and explosives were found inside the car.
Source: Getty Images
Vehicle traced to KZN murder
Gauteng’s Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, also confirmed that the vehicle was involved in another crime in the KZN province. The vehicle had been used by suspects during a CIT robbery on the North Coast on 14 July 2025, where a security guard was killed.
“Based on the vehicle they are driving, this vehicle has been linked with the previous crime scene. As I have indicated in KwaZulu-Natal on the 14th, there was an attempted murder and cash-in-transit heist, and this vehicle is the same one that was seen on the other crime scene,” he said.
KZN has been a hub of CIT heists of late. In June 2025, two KZN officers were wounded during a shootout in Maphumulo, Durban. In May 2025, three suspects were shot dead in two different shootouts in Marianhill and Inanda.
Mthombeni also praised the collaborative effort between Gauteng and KZN officers, saying it should send a warning to criminals that police would continue to deal decisively with criminal issues.
How did South Africans react?
While social media users praised the work done by police, others called for the kingpins and masterminds to be arrested.
Clarens Civic Lens said:
“These are the news stories that people want to see, but the fact that in a week or two we'll read about an identical story is concerning. These criminals don't give up and are definitely working for higher-ups. There are masterminds behind these.”
Joel Mphoka stated:
“The criminals shot first. I just love the new SAPS strategy, then there are no witnesses to argue.”
Chipane Masemola added:
“SAPS are currently busy sweeping all cockroaches into the fire. Criminals must know that there's no space for them.”
Ansu Anesu noted:
“But killing them and leaving their mastermind is not a solution. He's just going to recruit a new team to run the show.”
Thulisani Mpofu added:
“I prefer a few arrests so we can find their godfathers.”
Lehlohonolo Modiga III said:
“Police are working now.”
CIT heist suspects shot dead in KZN
In a related article, KZN police killed two suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers in a shootout in the province on 4 July 2025.
Briefly News reported that police were tipped off about a potential heist in the area and were deployed there to prevent the robbery.
South Africans joked about how brazen criminals were to try their luck where Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was.
Source: Briefly News
