Fidelity CEO Wants SANDF To Stop Cash-in-Transit Heists After SAPS 30-Minute Response to Crime Scene

• The recent cash-in-transit heist has angered Fidelity CEO Wahl Bartmann, who called on the South African National Defense Force to intervene in the syndicates
• This is after it was revealed that members of the South African Police Service took half an hour to arrive at the scene of the crime
• National SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe defended why the cops took half an hour to respond to the scene of the crime
• Netizens pointed out that the army and the SAPS are all involved in this syndicate

Fidelity CEO Wahl Bartmann called on the army to tackle cash-in-transit heists. This is after it took police 30 minutes to respond to a heist in Johannesburg over the weekend.

Bartmann slammed the police for the slow response time, saying their attitude towards CIT heists is inadequate.

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Fidelity CEO slams SAPS over slow response time to heist

Bartmann spoke recently in an interview with eNCA following a cash-in-transit heist that took place on Saturday, 7 October, on the N12 in Johannesburg. The heist took place near Mondeor. During the heist, a woman driving a BMW was hijacked and kidnapped.

According to eNCA, it took over 30 minutes for the police to show up on the scene, a response time Bartmann finds unacceptable. Bartmann pointed out that the company went to parliament, and afterwards, there was support from the SAPS. However, the support seems to have declined, and the recent heist was proof.

Bartmann calls for SA Army intervention

He also called on the military to be deployed. He also refuted the statements made by Premier Panyaza Lesufi that South Africa should move to a cashless society, saying that cash will not disappear anytime soon. A video of the crime scene was posted on Twitter by @LindA_MniSii. View it here.

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National Police spokesperson defends SAPS response time

Speaking to Briefly News, SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe defended the SAPS' reasons for arriving at the scene late.

"There is a vast improvement in response time and better coordination with crime intelligence operational members on the ground. Us not responding to one or two heists does not mean that we're failing. The SAPS not preventing the heist on the N12 from happening doesn't mean that we are failing. If you look at the number of cash vans that are transported, it is highly impossible to escort each and every van," she said.

South Africans suspect the involvement of cops and military

Netizens commented on Facebook that the police are involved in the CIT heist syndicate.

Mzwakhe Mike Ndlovu said:

“The problem is that some incidents have police and political connections. They deliberately delay response. It’s all about money.”

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Cheslin Nelson agreed.

“The police are involved.”

Nwunde Keo suggested:

“It’s time to arm your employees and give them proper training to deal with such. Hire more people, not three people, to transport millions.”

Rodgers Banes added:

“Just say it like it is. Police and high-profile people are all involved. Don’t beat about the bush.”

Frankie Shava remarked:

“Police and military are involved, so it won’t solve anything.”

Lesego Molobye pointed out:

“Army and SAPS work together with these people. CITs won’t end either way. Why risk your life for money that is insured?”

robbers set armoured cash vehicle on fire in Durban

In a similar article, Briefly News reported that a failed cash-in-transit heist in Durban had Mzansi calling for more police action.

The heist took place on the N2. Police were called to the scene where the armoured vehicle was set on fire following robbers’ failed attempts at making away with the money.

Source: Briefly News