Bang bang terror: CIT heist haunts residents!

A DEADLY gun battle erupted during a cash-in-transit heist in Soshanguve between police and thugs last week.

Now, Soshanguve residents in Tshwane said every time they hear a loud bang that's a call for them to get into their houses for safety.

They said their safety is now compromised and the area is unsafe.

During the robbery that took place on Wednesday, 9 April, three suspects were killed and nine arrested following a cash-in-transit robbery on Soutpan Road in Soshanguve, outside Jukulyn.

According to police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the incident occurred when a cash van was blocked by three vehicles and armed suspects emerged, overpowering the crew and blowing up the cash van.

"The suspects started firing shots at members, who then retaliated. During the shooting, three of the suspects were killed. Six uninjured, plus three injured suspects, totaling nine, were arrested," she said.

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Nevhuhulwi said two of the officers sustained gunshot wounds and were admitted to hospital for medical treatment.

"Police seized three vehicles believed to have been used in the commission of the crime, a Toyota bakkie, a Cherry, and a Haval. They also recovered five rifles, and investigations are still ongoing," she said.

Videos of the damaged cash van have circulated on social media, raising concerns about lawlessness in Soshanguve.

Residents raised concern about safety, with some calling for increased security measures.

"Kids are not safe. A lot could have happened during the shoot-out. When is this disaster ever going to end though? Why can't they deploy soldiers to Jukulyn, once and for all? This is really getting out of hand," said resident, Pitsi Mmakoena.

Another resident, Ephrime Maganedisa, said: "Back in the day Soshanguve was never this dangerous. Instead, we feared Winterveld but now Soshanguve is the capital city of criminal syndicates. We really don't know what went wrong but this place is not conducive to raising our kids in. The environment on its own is so toxic."

While the incident shocked the community, some residents made light of the situation, joking about picking up cash after the explosion. Others gathered around the damaged cash van, attempting to collect any remaining cash.