Manhunt launched for armed suspects in Wonderpark CIT robbery attempt
According to police, at about 08:20, heavily armed suspects targeted a CIT vehicle during a routine cash collection in the centre's underground parking, which led to multiple shots being fired.
Tshwane Flying Squad spokesperson Sergeant Alfred Legodi said the suspects tried to intercept the vehicle, but fled the scene.
'Law enforcement received further intelligence regarding a suspicious firearm believed to be stashed near the Akasia Flats, not far from the shopping centre.
'Officers acted promptly on the tip-off and proceeded to the location. They successfully recovered an R5 rifle, a high-powered military-grade firearm, believed to be linked to the robbery,' said Legodi.
The weapon is suspected to have been discarded by the fleeing suspects during their escape.
'The R5 rifle was found concealed and has been booked at Akasia SAPS. It will undergo forensic testing to determine whether it was used in the robbery or linked to other crimes,' he stated.
Wonderpark Shopping Centre management said no injuries were recorded and operations have resumed.
Marketing manager Marli Strauss said the centre is reviewing and tightening its security protocols in collaboration with law enforcement and private security firms.
Strauss said despite the chaos, no injuries were reported, thanks to the swift defensive actions of Volsec Security Services and the CIT officers on site.
'Their rapid response allowed the vehicle to escape safely, avoiding what could have been a fatal encounter. The safety of shoppers, staff, and tenants remains our top priority.
'We commend the swift and professional response of the security personnel involved. We are relieved that no lives were lost and are working closely with authorities to support the investigation and enhance on-site security,' said Strauss.
The police have urged members of the public who may have information to come forward by contacting their nearest police station or calling Crime Stop anonymously at 08600 10111.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
32 minutes ago
- eNCA
Prosecutors call for PSG's Achraf Hakimi to face rape trial
PARIS - French prosecutors on Friday called for Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi to face trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023 which the Moroccan international denies. The Nanterre prosecutor's office told AFP that they had requested that the investigating judge refer the rape charge to a criminal court. "It is now up to the investigating magistrate to make a decision within the framework of his order," the prosecutor's office told AFP in a statement. Hakimi, 26, played a major role in PSG's run to their first Champions League title, the full-back scoring the opener in the 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in the final in May. Hakimi, who helped Morocco to their historic progress to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, was charged in March, 2023 with raping a 24-year-old woman. Hakimi allegedly paid for his accuser to travel to his home on February 25, 2023, in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt while his wife and children were away on holiday. The woman went to a police station following the encounter alleging rape and was questioned by police. Although the woman refused to make a formal accusation, prosecutors decided to press charges against the player. She told police at the time that she had met Hakimi in January 2023 on Instagram. On the night in question she said she had travelled to his house in a taxi paid for by Hakimi. She told police Hakimi had started kissing her and making non-consensual sexual advances, before raping her, a police source told AFP at the time. She said she managed to break free to text a friend who came to pick her up. 'Attempted extortion' Contacted by AFP after Friday's development Hakimi's lawyer Fanny Colin described the call by prosecutors for a trial as "incomprehensible and senseless in light of the case's elements". "We, along with Achraf Hakimi, remain as calm as we were at the start of the proceedings. "If these requisitions were to be followed, we would obviously pursue all avenues of appeal," she continued. According to Colin, her client had "been the target of an attempted extortion". "Nothing in this case suggests an attempted extortion," Rachel-Flore Pardo, the lawyer representing the woman, said. "My client welcomes this news with immense relief," she told AFP. "We will not tolerate any smear or destabilisation campaign, as is unfortunately still too often the case for women who have the courage to report the rape of which they are victims," she added. The son of a cleaning lady and a street vendor, both Moroccans who have lived in Spain since the 1980s, Hakimi was born in Getafe, a southern suburb of Madrid. Hakimi came through the youth system at Real Madrid before joining Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2018. He went on to make 73 appearances for the German club. He moved to Inter Milan in 2020 and then on to PSG in 2021 where he has established himself as an integral part of the team. In Qatar, Hakimi was a cornerstone of the Morocco team that became the first African or Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup.
![Massive child abuse material seized in Standerton operation [PICS]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.citizen.co.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F08%2FMassive-child-abuse-material-seized-in-Standerton-operation.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![Massive child abuse material seized in Standerton operation [PICS]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.citizen.co.za%2Fassets%2Fimg%2Fcitizen-icon.png&w=48&q=75){kind=icon}
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- The Citizen
Massive child abuse material seized in Standerton operation [PICS]
A 59-year-old suspect has been arrested for possessing more than 56 000 videos and images of child sexual abuse material in Standerton. Police in Mpumalanga seized more than 56 000 videos and images of child sexual abuse material during an operation in Standerton, leading to one arrest. Operation Bad Vibes is continuing to yield positive results after a 59-year-old man was arrested for possessing child sexual abuse material on Wednesday. The operation is an initiative launched in 2023 between the South African Police Service (Saps), the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the US Embassy. Operation Bad Vibes yields more arrests 15 licensed firearms. Picture: Saps. The operation's goal is to trace and arrest suspects in South Africa linked to accessing, possessing, manufacturing, and distributing child sexual abuse material worldwide. Wednesday's arrest has brought the total number of arrests under the initiative to 16. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the suspect was arrested when an integrated team carried out a search-and-seizure warrant on Wednesday. ALSO READ: 'David vs Goliath': Meta agrees to hand over child porn channel creator information Several digital devices were seized. Picture: Saps During the operation, the team also seized 15 licensed firearms and several digital devices. 'While processing the scene, forensic experts uncovered more than 56 000 videos and images depicting child sexual abuse material; the forensic investigation is ongoing,' Van Wyk said. The operation was led by the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Unit in Mpumalanga, with support from HSI, the US Embassy, the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), and designated firearm officers in Standerton. More than 56 000 videos and images of child sexual abuse material 15 licensed firearms. Picture: Saps. The suspect appeared in the Standerton Magistrate's Court on Thursday. The case has been postponed to 4 August 2025 for a formal bail application. In April, an Eastern Cape father was sentenced to two life terms and an additional 3 713 years behind bars for more than 700 counts of sexual crimes, including exposing his daughter to child pornography. The Gqeberha High Court found the 56-year-old guilty of a slew of heinous offences, including rape, sexual assault, sexual grooming, human trafficking, possession, production, and procuring of child pornography, as well as exposing children and a person living with mental disability to pornography. NOW READ: Meta complies, shuts down Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels posting sexual content of SA school children
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- The Citizen
Cullinan and Ekangala crime blitz leads to mass arrests, fines
Over 350 suspects were arrested for various crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape and armed robbery during crime combating efforts. Led by Tshwane District Commissioner, Major-General Samuel Thine, the operation focused on tackling crime in the rural communities of Ekangala and Cullinan policing precincts on July 31. 'SAPS in Tshwane intensified its ongoing efforts to combat crime through the continued implementation of Operation Shanela,' he said. He said SAPS personnel from across the metro were deployed to enhance policing efforts. 'Key activities included continued liquor compliance inspections, the tracing of wanted suspects, and heightened patrols in identified crime hotspots,' he said. He said district detectives made significant progress in their tracing operations, resulting in the arrest of 318 wanted suspects. 'The arrested suspects include seven for murder, three for attempted murder, four for armed robbery and 10 for rape,' he said. He added that a roadblock was assembled in Ekangala, with tactical teams deployed in both precincts to increase police visibility. He stated that, 'This operation led to the detention of 30 illegal immigrants, who are currently being processed for court proceedings and possible deportation.' He said two individuals were fined for employing illegal immigrants. Van Dyk said during the operation, 1 265 individuals and 509 vehicles were searched, with 35 vehicles being tested to verify ownership. 'The operations resulted in the arrest of a total of 360 suspects for a range of criminal offences,' he said. Furthermore, he said patrols were conducted in 20 high-crime areas and premises with two second-hand dealers being inspected and fined for contravention of the Second-Hand Goods Act. 'Traffic officers provided valuable support by issuing 102 AARTO infringement notices amounting to R39 000 for various traffic-related offences.' He then said that, as part of liquor law enforcement, 10 liquor outlets were inspected, with five outlets that were shut down for non-compliance with the Liquor Act. 'Alcohol, three speakers and a fridge were confiscated,' he said. He concluded by saying the SAPS urges members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity by contacting Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or by using the My SAPS App. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
