Armed robbers arrived in cars marked Department of Labour, UIF, not knowing cops were waiting.

After attempting to rob the Golden Fry Factory, which manufactures cooking oil in Eikenhof, south of Joburg, at least ten men traveling in vehicles emblazoned with the Department of Labor's logo, have been arrested.

Xolani Fihla, a spokesperson for the Joburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), stated that six of the arrested suspects were Zimbabwean citizens and four were South African citizens.

He claimed that the SAPS crime intelligence unit and the JMPD's undercover reaction unit worked together to make the 10 arrests.

The ten have been charged with attempted murder, conspiring to rob a business, impersonating officials from the Department of Labor, fraud, and illegal firearms possession.

In addition, the Zimbabwean citizens have been charged with violating the Immigration Act.

The officers had received information about a group planning a business robbery at the cooking oil-producing Golden Fry Factory in Eikenhof.

Fihla stated, "The group would be traveling in four vehicles, consisting of two Volkswagen Polos, a white Ford Ranger, and a white Toyota Quantum, and they would allegedly be armed" in response to the reports that had been received.

On Friday, the operational team proceeded to the factory where they strategically took their positions.

While monitoring, the officers spotted two white Volkswagen Polos fitted with Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and Department of Labour branding on the doors. One of the Volkswagen Polos had a Gauteng provincial government numberplate affixed to it,” said Fihla.

The police officers also spotted a black BMW 1 series and a blue Toyota Corolla at the scene.

“The team noticed the vehicles approaching the factory as they kept watching. A shootout broke out as the officers strategically approached and intercepted the suspects,” said Fihla.

He said no one, between the police officers and the suspects, was injured during the shootout.

“Ten male suspects, including four South African and six Zimbabwean nationals, were arrested. The suspects were found to have four firearms with serial numbers filed off in their possession. Additionally, reflector jackets and cards from the Department of Labour were discovered on the suspects,” said Fihla.

The 10 suspects were detained at Mondeor SAPS on multiple charges, and Fihla said they were due to appear in court soon.

IOL