WC Police Commissioner sends stern warning to criminals about zero tolerance for crime

CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile has sent a stern warning to criminals that there'll be zero tolerance for crime in the province.

The warning comes after police foiled a planned cash-in-transit heist in Khayelitsha Monday night.

Eight of the 13 would-be robbers were killed in a shootout with police, and five of them have been arrested.

Patekile said over the past 10 months, the police have worked hard to bolster its intelligence gathering capabilities nationally.

He says there've been more intelligence driven operations in the Cape recently.

"We must recall that not long ago here in Stillbaai we got R252 million worth of drugs. That was also intelligence driven, it was not a mistake or a coincidence."

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Community Policing Board has commended police for acting swiftly to foil a planned cash in transit heist.

The board said the recent intelligence-driven operation in Khayelitsha was initiated based on credible information regarding potential robbers.

The body expresses condolences over any loss of life but recognises and praises officers for their bravery and proactive approach during the operation last night.

It further praises the unit for not retreating under attack, which it says resulted in a successful outcome, with no South Africa Police Service members wounded or killed, and the recovery of 13 firearms and three improvised explosive devices.

 "The Western Cape Provincial Community Police Board looks forward to the results of the ongoing investigation and any additional links to criminal activities that may emerge," said Western Cape Community Policing Board's Justin Kumlehn.