The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in Mpumalanga has welcomed a major breakthrough in the investigation of a cash-in-transit robbery following the arrest of seven suspects by the Tactical Response Team (TRT) after the recovery of five AK-47 assault rifles and explosives in Vosman, Witbank, in December 2025.
The suspects were arrested during an intelligence-driven operation where members of the TRT recovered the prohibited firearms and explosives.
Forensic ballistic testing and heist details
The recovered firearms were subsequently subjected to forensic ballistic testing, and analysis confirmed that one of the recovered AK-47 assault rifles was positively linked to a cash-in-transit robbery that occurred on 02 June 2025 along Verena Road in Witbank. Investigations by the Hawks' Middelburg Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) revealed that at approximately 18:00, a G4S cash-in-transit vehicle transporting cash to the G4S base in Witbank was ambushed by heavily armed suspects who opened fire on the armoured vehicle until it was forced to a stop.
The crew members were ordered out of the vehicle before explosives were allegedly used to blast open the safe. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen, and the driver was robbed of his service pistol. During the attack, the escort vehicle was rammed by a stolen white Volkswagen Polo sedan, allowing the suspects to flee the scene.
Suspect profiles and court appearances
The seven suspects, aged between 31 and 52, are from different provinces, with two from Mpumalanga, two from the Eastern Cape, and three from Gauteng. They were arrested by the Hawks on Thursday, 06 July 2026, shortly after their court appearance for possession of prohibited firearms and explosives. Their alleged involvement in the cash-in-transit robbery will now be added to the existing case in which they are already facing charges relating to the possession of prohibited firearms and explosives.
That matter was postponed to 16 September 2026, when they are also expected to make their first court appearance on charges relating to the alleged cash-in-transit robbery. The suspects are expected to appear before the Witbank Magistrate's Court on charges including cash-in-transit robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted murder, possession of prohibited firearms, and possession of explosives. The investigation remains ongoing, and the possibility of additional arrests and charges cannot be ruled out.
Leadership commendation
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, commended the Tactical Response Team and all law enforcement agencies involved for their coordinated efforts.
“This breakthrough once again demonstrates the value of intelligence-driven policing and effective collaboration among law enforcement agencies in dismantling violent organised criminal networks responsible for cash-in-transit robberies,” said Major General Gerber.