On Saturday 23 May 2026, at approximately 12:40 midday, a cash-in-transit robbery occurred at the Cash and Carry store in Welkom, Free State. Security officers were collecting money from the store when they were accosted by six armed suspects. The suspects forced the security guards to lie down and ordered them to open the cash van.
The suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash, three firearms belonging to the security officers, bulletproof vests, and a hand radio.
Free State Crime Intelligence gathered information on the suspects’ whereabouts shortly after the robbery. A multidisciplinary team led by Crime Intelligence, including members of the Tactical Response Team and the Public Order Policing unit, was mobilised. Police traced the suspects to a house in Welkom and arrived at the location at around 15:00 on the same day.
A shootout occurred between the police and the suspects upon arrival at the house. Some of the suspects managed to flee the scene, while two known CIT armed robbery suspects were arrested. During the operation, police recovered an undisclosed amount of the stolen money along with other items linked to the robbery.
Lieutenant General Solomon Lesia, the Provincial Commissioner of the Free State SAPS, commended the multidisciplinary team for their swift response and intelligence-driven operation. He stated that the arrests demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led policing and coordinated operational responses. Lesia praised the members involved for their bravery and commitment. He noted that the suspects who escaped were being actively pursued and that it was only a matter of time before they were brought to justice.
The two arrested suspects are expected to appear in court soon. They face charges relating to armed robbery, attempted murder, and possession of suspected stolen property.
The operation resulted in the arrests and partial recovery of stolen property within approximately three hours of the initial robbery. No injuries were reported during the shootout or the initial robbery. A search for the remaining four suspects continues as part of the ongoing investigation.
All details regarding the exact value of the stolen and recovered money, as well as the specific identities of the arrested individuals, remain undisclosed in official reports at this time.
OTHER NEWS
Katlehong Police Thwart Business Robbery at Mdladla Shopping Centre in Shootout, Arrest Two Suspects and Recover Unlicensed Firearms
Katlehong, Ekurhuleni – On Sunday, 24 May 2026, members of the Katlehong South African Police Service engaged in a shootout with suspects during an attempted business robbery at Mdladla Shopping Centre.
The incident targeted a Pick n Pay store at the shopping centre. Police responded to the scene, leading to an exchange of gunfire between officers and the armed suspects.
Two suspects were arrested on the scene. Authorities recovered two unlicensed firearms during the operation. No police officers sustained injuries in the confrontation.
Video footage from the incident shows police vehicles and personnel active in the vicinity of the shopping centre, with visible movement around parked cars and structures near the site. The recording captures elements consistent with a police response, including officers positioned near vehicles in the area.
Police are currently processing the crime scene, and investigations into the full circumstances of the robbery attempt remain ongoing. Details such as the exact number of suspects initially involved, any additional recoveries, or the identities and ages of the arrested individuals have not been publicly released by SAPS at this stage.
This intervention by Katlehong SAPS disrupted what appears to have been a planned armed robbery at a busy retail location. Business robberies remain a significant concern in parts of Gauteng, often involving armed groups targeting stores during operating hours.
No further official statements from the provincial or national SAPS communications unit were available as of the latest checks. Updates are expected as the investigation progresses, including potential charges related to attempted business robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms, and any other related offences.
Local residents and business owners in the Katlehong area have expressed appreciation for the rapid police response in community forums. Mdladla Shopping Centre is located in a densely populated township area, with the Pick n Pay serving as a key retail outlet.
