MINISTER MTHETHWA COMMENDS COPS FOR THWARTING EMPERORS PALACE CASINO ATTEMPTED HEIST

PRETORIA - 29 April 2012. It was planned with precision, executed spectacularly and a mission well-accomplished. This is how the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa described the failed casino heist and the subsequent arrests at Emperors Palace, in Kempton Park yesterday.

Police made a breakthrough and foiled an imminent armed robbery where eight (8) firearms were recovered and fifteen (15) suspected robbers arrested, following a shoot-out. Two out of fourteen suspects were shot and wounded and are under police guard at the local hospital.

Through a Crime Intelligence-led operation, police followed information that a gang of nineteen (19) suspects travelling in several vehicles were planning to rob the casino. During observation, police were involved in a shoot- out with suspects travelling in a Mazda double-cab bakkie at the main entrance of the casino.

The suspects aged between 25 and 45 years-old will be charged with conspiracy to rob, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms as well possession of suspected stolen vehicles when they appear at the Boksburg Magistrate Court within 48 hours.

Minister Mthethwa emphasized that the foiling of the attempted heist was achieved through a multifaceted approach. "They planned and executed their plan with precision and smartness. Through their different policing expertise, our teams were able to succeed and that is what underpins our policing philosophy which is to work together as different yet complimentary role-players." 

"We have always been consistent that our police officers are well-trained and capable to deal with various forms of crime, as demonstrated by the downward trends in most crime categories. But equally, training like any science requires ongoing review and improvement. It should also be emphasized that police were faced with suspects who were determined to rob and in the process would not have hesitated to kill our officers or even innocent civilians," he added.

Minister Mthethwa said he hoped this incident will send a strong warning to any would-be criminal that police will not hesitate to act in ensuring that businesses, homes and recreational areas of all law-abiding citizens are safe and secure.

"The success of this operation has demonstrated that we have the capacity to make a significant impact on crime. We urge the officers across the country to utilize this experience in their approach of dealing with violent crime in general. Now more than ever, as government we are working tirelessly to make life difficult for criminals in our midst," concluded the Minister.

Statement issued by Zweli Mnisi, Spokesperson to the Minister of Police, April 29 2013

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