Tebogo Simon Maluke, Avuyile Mjongwana and Cassiem Isaac Feni are wanted in connection with a planned robbery. (Supplied/Hawks)
- The Hawks are on the hunt for three suspects who are believed to be part of a group of cash-in-transit robbers in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
- The group was allegedly planning to rob a private security company when a sting operation foiled its plans.
- The ensuing gun battle left eight of the suspected criminals dead, two in hospital and three in custody. The three fled after their struck off the roll when they were bought to court late.
Hawks in the Western Cape have launched a manhunt for three people who were allegedly part of a group of 13 suspected cash-in-transit robbers who were planning to rob a private security company earlier this month.
The police swooped on the gang at their hide out in Bekelentloko Street, Town Two in Khayelitsha, foiling their plans.
In the deadly gun battle that ensued, eight gunmen were killed and five others injured.
Seven AK47 rifles, two R5 rifles, one R4 rifle, a Dashprod rifle, two 9mm pistols, three improvised explosive chargers and numerous magazines filled with rounds of ammunition were found.
Police also seized four vehicles, two of which were linked to house robberies and hijackings.
Of the five suspects arrested, two were hospitalised and the other three appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court.
The matter was struck off the roll because the suspects were brought to court after the 48-hour period stipulated by law.
READ | Eight shot dead, five arrested in sting operation on planned cash-in-transit robbery in Cape Town
The Hawks this weekend released identikits of three of the suspects, seeking public assistance in locating Cassiem Isaac Feni, 37; Tebogo Simon Maluke, 51; and Avuyile Mjongwana, 23.
The trio are wanted in connection with attempted murder, possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition, as well as possession of explosives.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani said the Hawks, together with Crime Intelligence and Special Task Force officers acted on information about a planned cash-in-transit heist.
“Information was operationalised, which resulted in a shootout between the suspects and the police … The shootout led to eight suspects being fatally wounded and five suspects being arrested,” said Hani.
The police request anyone who can identify the suspects or knows their whereabouts to contact investigating officers Captain Swan on 082 469 2164 and/or Sergeant Hlatshaneni on 082 479 6265.
