Durban - The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga has cautioned the public to refrain from looting cash left on crime scenes following cash-in-transit robberies.
The warning comes after videos of members of the public looting money from these robberies were posted on social media platforms, said the Hawks in a statement on Saturday.
The Hawks appealed to the public to refrain from such criminality. When crime is committed it is the responsibility of the community to report the incident to the police by immediately calling the Crime Stop number on 086 0010111 or to report the matter to the nearest police station.
“Cash-in-transit heist crime scenes can often be very dangerous particularly when explosives are used in such robberies. In some instances it is possible that not all explosives were detonated at the time when the robbery was committed,” said the Hawks.
According to the Hawks this posed a risk for detonators to explode in the presence of looters which may cost them their lives.
The Hawks said when a robbery is committed, the area becomes a crime scene. Those looting at such crime scenes often contaminate the scenes which will constitute a crime of theft as well as defeating the ends of justice.
“Communities are requested to refrain from entering crime scenes, but rather support the work of the police by assisting members when a crime is committed as opposed to being part of the crime itself.
“The police cannot be able to fight this crime alone, we therefore call upon all members of the public to join hands in fighting against crime. Together we can do more.”