- Locals collaborating with criminals from SA
- Four suspects in police custody
GAZETTE REPORTER
Over P13 million in cash has been stolen in the spate of the recent cash-in-transit robberies, Minister of Justice, Security and Defence Kagiso Mmusi has revealed.
When delivering his statement during a press briefing this week, Mmusi explained that most of these armed robbers are targeting Cash in Transit (CIT) vehicles transporting cash to the Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and businesses, and usually pounce on
the security guards when they reach their destinations.
“To date, a total of P13,265,885.00 has been stolen by these armed criminals. Police investigations have revealed that the robberies are planned and executed by Batswana in collusion with their partners in crime from neighbouring countries,” said the Minister.
He also confirmed that these crimes were mostly committed by locals collaborating with those from South Africa (SA), some of whom have already been arrested. “This was confirmed by the recent arrest of both Batswana and their South African counterparts in Mogoditshane. Another armed robbery attempt was foiled by the police on Friday the 22nd, October, 2021 in Mahalapye, where four suspects, who tried to rob a security vehicle were arrested and found in possession of three pistols. One of the four suspects was involved in a robbery in Gaborone (Block 6) where a total of P9, 000 000-00 was stolen, bringing to three, the total number of suspects arrested since the robbery. These incidences have the potential to harm our country’s reputation as a safe and peaceful
country worthy of investing in.”
Nonetheless, Minister Mmusi revealed that the current situation has forced the police adopting new measures of dealing with the crimes. The police as well as other law enforcement agencies such as the Directorate on Intelligence and Security Services
(DISS), Botswana Defence Force (BDF) are now involved in escorting cash-in transit vehicles.
“All stakeholders, including security services providers are part of the overall response plan. The plan, while it is primarily intended to address the situation as it unfolds within the greater Gaborone area, will also support an anticipated crime displacement, both within the vicinity of Gaborone and beyond. In this regard, my Ministry will do everything in its power to support police operations in decisively dealing with the situation. I want to
assure members of the public that the security agencies in this country are on top of the situation and shall prevail over it,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, police arrested two suspects in the recent robbery at a supermarket in Serowe. The police have since been able to recover P20 000 from the suspects. Two other suspects are believed to be on the run