News24 | Eight shot dead, five arrested in sting operation on planned cash-in-transit robbery in Cape Town

Authorities seized a number of weapons, including seven AK-47 rifles. (Supplied/SAPS)

Eight people were shot and killed, and five others arrested, during a sting operation on a group suspected of planning a cash-in-transit robbery in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Monday night.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said the team, composed of Hawks members, intelligence operatives, the Special Task Force and security company officials, acted on critical information about the planned heist.

Potelwa said the team pounced on the would-be robbers in Town Two, Khayelitsha.

"As the team approached the suspects, the would-be robbers started firing shots at police who retaliated.

"As a consequence, eight suspects were shot dead and five were arrested," she said.

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Authorities seized a number of weapons, including seven AK-47 rifles, two R5 rifles, one R4 rifle, one Dashprod rifle, two 9mm pistols and three improvised explosive chargers, along with numerous ammunition magazines.

"The Hawks detectives are hard at work with investigations and following up on additional information," Potelwa added.