Cele praises police for foiling heist

2011-02-22 20:16

Johannesburg - National police commissioner Bheki Cele praised police for foiling a cash-in-transit heist near Pretoria on Tuesday morning, attributing the success to better training and intelligence.

"Fortunately no police officials or security guards were wounded in this clash, which once again proves that our police members have the capacity, manpower and firepower to counter any threat to public safety", said a statement issued on his behalf.

At 09:30, three of the alleged robbers were shot dead by police. Two more were in a critical condition in hospital, according to ER24 spokesperson Vannessa Jackson.

Four others - one of whom is a police constable - were arrested unharmed, said police spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo.

Cele was commenting on the work of the special task force, the national intervention unit, the Hawks and the air wing of the police in catching the robbers on the R101, near the Rooiwal power station, Temba, on Tuesday morning.

"These thugs ... decided to open fire on our officers, resulting in a shoot-out", said Cele.

Police investigations into the crime were continuing, Naidoo said.

- SAPA