For many residents of Roodepoort, Friday, 30 October left a heaviness in their hearts.
A Cash-in-Transit (CIT) robbery that shook witnesses sadly also resulted in the death of well-known First Help Responder, Shane Williams.
Some form of justice prevailed one day later when, in a shocking turn of events, three of the G4S security drivers were arrested. Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) released a statement with information pertaining to the arrests and referred to the three guards as the alleged CIT robbery masterminds.
The three men aged 25, 28 and 40 are expected to appear in the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 2 November and will be facing charges of murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, possession of suspected stolen money, perjury, and defeating the ends of justice.
The 12 unknown men who carried out the heist are still being sought, but the police have said that the investigation is ongoing. It is alleged that the armoured vehicle was forced to a halt by these 12 suspects who had been driving in four different vehicles.
The suspects allegedly forced the G4S crew out of the vehicle and disarmed them before detonating explosives to gain access to the and the cash inside the safe.
The suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of money, though G4S has said that it was a small amount. The HAWKS have confirmed that a chase ensued before Shane was fatally shot in the chest.
In what the HAWKS refer to as a multi-disciplinary driven investigation, approximately R3.2 million was found hidden in dustbins on premises near where the armoured vehicle was attacked, as well as under the seat of the armoured vehicle.
The police investigation into the matter saw the three G4S security guards be brought in for questioning and they were later arrested.
The police also recovered an R5 rifle, which the suspects allegedly disarmed the security crew of during the robbery.
G4S has been approached for comment on these arrests, but by the time this article was published none had been received.
