MBOMBELA – Police are looking for six men who allegedly disarmed security guards of their firearms and hijacked a truck on the N12 between Blesbokfontein and Kendal off-ramp at Phola near Witbank in the early hours of this morning.
According to the police, two vehicles from G4S Security, were escorting the truck from Benoni when they noticed two white Audi sedans with unknown registration plates. The occupants suddenly opened fire towards the guards. One of the security vehicles was shot on the right rear near the tyre and the vehicle came to a standstill. Four armed men with rifles appeared and disarmed the gaurds. They also took their cellphones as well as a camera before proceeding chasing the other guards vehicle and the truck.
“The suspects continued firing shots towards the vehicle until it came to a halt too. They again disarmed one of the guards. It is alleged that the driver of the second escort vehicle managed to flee the scene on foot but was later found dead in the bushes not far from the scene after sustaining a gunshot wound. The truck was also forced to a halt where both the driver and the passenger were forced into the suspects’ vehicles and drove with them and later dropped them off along the road,” said the police.
It is alleged that the truck was carrying silver containers with boxes of cellphones and was abandoned just before the N4 road. Two containers were cut open, emptied and while the third one was opened and half of the load was taken.
A case docket for armed robbery has been opened but no arrest have been made. Anyone with information that may assist police in tracing the suspects is urged to contact the Phola Branch Commander, Captain Akim Mbewe on 082 318 9873 or the SAPS Crime Stop number, 08600 10111.
