News24 | CIT-related crime on the rise: They ‘do not value the lives of others’

Godfrey Lebeya, the head of the Hawks, says his unit is making good progress. (GCIS)

• Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya briefed the media about the first quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year.
• The Hawks boss said there had been a significant increase in CIT-related crimes.
• He said 55 such cases had been reported during the first quarter.

Criminals targeting armoured cash vehicles have shown a blatant disregard for human life, according to Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya.

Lebeya briefed the media on Sunday on the progress his unit had made during the first quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year. 

He said there had been a significant increase in cash-in-transit (CIT) related crimes, with 55 cases reported during the recent period.

“Criminals who bomb armoured cash vehicles are ruthless and do not value the lives of others,” Lebeya said.

He added that law enforcement agencies had been actively pursuing such criminals.

“Thirty-four suspects were arrested, made up of 28 arrests effected on cases reported during the first quarter, including the seven suspects who died during an exchange of fire with police, and six arrests on CIT cases reported before this quarter,” said Lebeya.  

In addition, there were 27 more arrests related to CIT-related cases, such as conspiracy to commit CIT robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, and possession of suspected stolen property.

“This brings the total number of arrests to 61,” he said.

He added that 19 convictions had been secured on eight CIT-related cases during the review period.

“They were sentenced to a combined period of 288 years’ imprisonment and one was sentenced to a R10 000 fine.”

The Hawks boss said the fight against national priority offences was an ongoing challenge, which required sustained commitment and collaboration.

“The DPCI [Hawks] is committed to work diligently to address the evolving threat and bring those who engage in criminality to justice. The DPCI shall, at all times, continue to enforce the law of the Republic without fear, favour or prejudice,” he said.