Officials inspect a bombed cash van on a highway near Germiston, Johannesburg.

• One person was killed during a shootout with police after a CIT heist in Gauteng.
• Two others were arrested.
• The heist gang hit in Springs, stealing an undisclosed amount of money. 

One person was killed and two others arrested after cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers exchanged fire with the Police in Booysens, Johannesburg.

The incident happened after police tracked down the suspects following a cash-in-transit heist on Wednesday evening in Springs.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said security guards were returning to their base after collecting money from various outlets when armed robbers forced the cash van to a halt.

Mathe said the gunmen then disarmed the security guards, bombed the cash van, and escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.

"Gauteng police immediately operationalised information, and maximum resources were mobilised. Vigilant members attached to the [Hawks] and the Johannesburg Flying Squad traced the suspects at 20:20 on the M1 south just before the Booysens off-ramp," she added.

"A shootout ensued with the suspects who were travelling in a Toyota Quantum. One suspect was certified dead at the scene while two others were apprehended." 

READ | Gauteng police launch manhunt for suspects who bombed cash-in-transit van and stole money

A police officer was injured during the shootout, and was recovering in hospital, Mathe said, adding that they had recovered three rifles, some cash, and two cellphones.

"Two empty cash bags, as well as implements used in armed robberies, were found in their getaway vehicle. A manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects,” she said. 

Acting SAPS commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said police remained on high alert and ready to "take down syndicates".

She said:

"We continue to take down syndicates and groups involved in these crimes. Either they surrender, or we will continue to hunt and take them down."

Mathe added that, in the past week, 10 158 suspects had been arrested for various crimes ranging from murder to armed robberies.

Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the M1 was still closed at Xavier and Booysens roads on Thursday morning due to the active crime scene.

He added that police were still processing the scene and that traffic was being diverted in both directions.