Mpumalanga Hawks hunt suspects following Mhala cash-in-transit heist
Multiple armed suspects fired on an armoured vehicle and its escort vehicle during a cash-in-transit heist in the Mhala area on Saturday June 8. One of the guards was injured.
The provincial Hawks’ head, Major General Nico Gerber, is requesting members of the public to assist with information that will lead to the recovery of some firearms and money looted during a cash-in-transit robbery at about 16:05 on Saturday June 8.
The provincial Hawks’ spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said: “It is alleged that on the day, the armoured vehicle of Fidelity Security Company was transporting money from retail outlets around Thulamahashe to the depot when their vehicle was rammed by a silver Mercedes-Benz. The escort vehicle, a Toyota Hilux bakkie, was attacked by some suspects in two VW Polos, white and silver in colour. They shot and injured the driver, who was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. Two of their rifles were taken. ”
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She said the two Polos followed the armoured vehicle and the occupants shot at it until its driver stopped. The suspects forced him and the crew out and pushed them into some bushes. Their firearms were also taken.
“About 20 suspects, all wearing balaclavas, gloves and bulletproof vests, and speaking Zulu, attacked the armoured vehicle.”
Sekgotodi said the suspects detonated explosives twice to breach the armoured vehicle, and an undisclosed amount of money was taken. They fled the scene in Dwarsloop’s direction. “It was further reported that the community descended on the crime scene and looted the remainder of the money scattered around.”
A case docket for a cash-in-transit robbery, attempted murder and armed robbery was registered for further investigation.
Sekgotodi said the Hawks are once more appealing to the public to refrain from contaminating crime scenes, as there may be some explosives that were not detonated during the blast.
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“They may explode and injure them while they are collecting the money. It is further requested that anyone who knows the suspects should report them to the police or the investigator.”
Contact the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Albert de Lange, on 071 481 2815. All information received will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
