NINE alleged CIT robbers were arrested on Friday, 5 August in Hendrina, Mpumalanga.
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said cops also recovered an AK47 rifle, magazines and ammunition.
Mohlala said the recovered items were allegedly hidden by the suspects during a gun battle with the police.
He said the weapon was found by a resident at around 8am who noticed something strange inside his laundry machine which was placed outside the house.
“It is said that his washing machine appeared to have been shifted from its original position. He then adjusted it and then made the discovery of the said items,” Mohlala said in a statement.
He added that police were alerted and the items were recovered and will form part of an investigation.
“The items will also undergo forensic tests as part of the ongoing probe wherein nine suspects were arrested. Police are still in pursuit of other suspects.”
Meanwhile, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, welcomed the arrests and is hopeful more will be revealed regarding the firearm with the possibility of adding more charges against the arrested suspects.
