A group of 10 armed suspects reportedly attacked four security guards who were driving in a cash van along the R40 road in Dwarsloop near Bushbuckridge on Friday.
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the police spokesperson said the incident happened at 7am when the security guards who were driving a cash van belonging to Fidelity Security was attacked It is alleged that a white Mercedes Benz Sedan driven by the suspects collided head on with the cash van causing the van to overturn. One of the security guards sustained injuries.
“A group of armed suspects emerged to join the ones in the Sedan the allegedly went on and overpowered as well as disarmed the security guards, taking their three rifles together with one handgun. Thereafter, they reportedly detonated some explosives for about three times and took bags containing undisclosed amount of cash from the said van.
“It is further indicated that once they finished removing the bags, they torched the same Mercedes Benz which they were driving then fled the scene with the stolen items in a certain white bakkie which could not be fully described by the guards at the time.”
A security guard who was injured in the incident was taken to hospital for medical treatment. No arrests have been made following the incident.
Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Manamela, the Mpumalanga police commissioner called for the swift arrest of the suspects.
“We have confidence in the capabilities of our members that are investigating this incident and it is just a matter of time before they make a breakthrough.
“We hope that the members of the public can understand the negative economic implications of such robberies and hopefully as often, they will share such valuable information which can help investigators to swiftly bring perpetrators to book,” Manamela said.
Times Live, Sowetan Live, The Citizen, image from Sowetan Live: SAPS