Masemola: Police shootout with suspected CIT robbers lasted 90 minutes

MAKHADO - The shootout between police and suspected CIT robbers lasted for about 90 minutes.

That's according to National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.

Police killed 16 men and two women while a police officer was "injured very seriously" and taken for medical care.

READ: Crime in SA | 18 killed during shootout with police in Limpopo

Police said they had targeted the suspects who were planning to rob a cash truck.

"As soon as police approached the address, the group of suspects began shooting, police retaliated," a police statement read.

According to police, who had been tracking the movements of the suspects for a few days, a probe began in January with the aid of the country's intelligence unit.

WATCH: Crime Watch | Focus on CIT robberies | 26 March 2023

"Our intention was to arrest them before they go out and commit the crime" Masemola said.

Four people who were found in "another safe house" were arrested in connection to the alleged cash truck robbery plan.

Masemola said there was also an "explosive that was ready to be used because they wanted to hit one of the cash depots in the province".

He said the suspects planned to use an ambulance to transport the money to Gauteng.