National Police have confirmed that two people, a 27-year-old woman and a 59-year-old male security guard were shot and killed while several others, including traffic officers, were injured during a cash-in-transit heist in Bekkersdal on Tuesday morning, 10 November.
Colonel Brenda Muridili, National Police spokesperson said the robbers used their vehicle to ram into the cash van and detonated explosives to open it.
Read initial article here: Woman driving with kids, security guard shot and killed in Bekkersdal CIT heist
She added that the robbers fled the scene after firing multiple shots, wounding all three occupants of the security van, and fatally injuring the 59-year-old security guard who was in the Fidelity escort bakkie.
The 27-year-old woman who was travelling with two minors was also shot dead. The children were admitted to hospital after sustaining injuries,” Colonel Muridili added.
While fleeing the scene the robbers opened fire on three Rand West City Traffic officers – two of whom have since been admitted to the ICU at a private hospital in Randfontein, she said.
She confirmed that an unknown number of robbers managed to get away with an undisclosed amount of cash, using a sedan and a combi.
“The 72-Hour Activation Plan which entails the mobilisation of all the resources needed to investigate this incident has been implemented by the Province.
We are appealing to anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects to call Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or send tip-offs on the My SAPS app,” Colonel Muridili said.
Meanwhile, Wahl Bartmann, Fidelity Services Group CEO confirmed that a Fidelity cash van en route to an ATM in Bekkersdal had been ambushed and blown up by a large group of heavily armed robbers at approximately 9.22am on Tuesday.
Describing the attack, Bartmann said the van was brought to a standstill when it was rammed by a red BMW. Heavily armed attackers opened fire on the Fidelity Cash Solutions bakkie that was following the van, before placing explosives onto the truck to access the cash.
Bartmann said the driver of the bakkie attempted to reverse away from the scene, but was unsuccessful and was fatally wounded. Another Fidelity officer was also wounded when the explosives on the van were detonated.
An unknown female was caught in the crossfire and fatally wounded. Two traffic officers also sustained severe injuries.
This level of violence is completely unacceptable. It is believed that as many as 18 perpetrators and six vehicles were used during this robbery. Our teams did not stand a chance,” said Bartmann. The robbers made off with cash and one firearm was taken.
Bartmann concluded that he was deeply saddened by the senseless loss of life, and appealed to the authorities to step up as violence continues to escalate.
