Police come forward after the recorded deaths against the Hawks yesterday now increases to a total of two. The Hawks were responding to a Cash In Transit robbery which lead to a high-speed chase, two officers died in the crossfire.
The armed suspects were driving a “Mercedes Benz and a Ford Ranger,” when they targetted a CIT vehicle traveling down Lichtenberg Road. In their mission to gain access, they unleashed a barrage of explosives.
The Hawks and National Intervention unit were called and attended the scene. Upon arrival, the suspects fled the scene in their vehicle. Police continued to pursue the suspects in a now “high-speed chase”.
The Police lost track of the Mercedes during the chase. The Ford Ranger was still in the sights when a shootout began. The 44-year-old Warrant Officer was shot dead when a bullet hit her in the head, three civilians were also reported to be injured.
NewsLiteSA
It was originally reported and confirmed that Detective Warrant Office Delene Grobelaar (44) was fatally shot but new information now indicates that Detective Sergeant Wynand Herbst (42) was also fatally wounded.
Further information has come forward now claiming that the suspects were wielding high powered assault rifles (AK47′), raining a barrage of bullets on the Hawks officers. In an effort to stop the suspects Hawks officers fatally wounded three and injured two.
“Three AK 47 rifles, two 9mm pistols, a bakkie and a minibus have been seized.” said Brig Mathapelo Peters.
Our prayers and thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of these two dedicated @SAPoliceService #Hawks members who were shot dead by CIT Robbers in the North West yesterday. You will be remembered as heroes. You stood up to protect our country and we salute you. pic.twitter.com/MeFiV2s6ba
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) March 6, 2020
Suspects still remain at large and a wider scale manhunt has been initiated, the task force assigned to the hunt has now been increased to ensure that the suspects are arrested promptly.
“We have recently assembled a bigger team under an experienced Brigadier to deal with these matters. Those who have information should provide same to the investigators or the police in general”, said General Lebeya.
General Bheki Cele, Minister of Police came forward and offered his condolences to family and friends of the officers that lost their lives. He also commended all those involved in the investigation for a speedy response and comments saying “leave no stone unturned in their effort to find the remaining suspects. “
