5 suspected cash-in-transit robbers killed in shootout with EC police

CAPE TOWN - Five suspected cash-in-transit robbers have been killed in a shoot-out with police in the Eastern Cape.

Four others have been arrested and are expected to appear in court soon.

It's alleged that the group ambushed a cash-in-transit van en route to Stutterheim from East London on Monday and fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

The Hawks said that a few hours after the incident, they received a tip-off that some of the robbers were hiding at a homestead in Keiskammahoek.
 
A team from the Hawks' cash-in-transit unit and the SAPS' tactical response team were reportedly met with a hail of bullets when they approached the homestead and returned fire, killing five of the gunmen.

Hawks spokesperson, Yolisa Mgolodela, said that money, eight rifles and live rounds of ammunition were found inside the household.
  
"One 58-year-old suspect, who happened to be the owner of the homestead, was arrested and will appear in King William's Town Magistrates Court soon."

She said that three more suspects aged between 44 and 48 were nabbed between Queenstown and Cradock.
 
"Cash in stacks of R100 and R200 notes in original cash bags, four burner cellphones and a Porsche Cayenne vehicle were seized during the arrest."

The three suspects will appear at the Cradock Magistrates Court on Wednesday.