Warrant Officer Moses Maphakela, spokesperson for the Bramley police said the man had been banking in Sandton City before the incident occurred.
He explained, “After withdrawing the money he boarded a taxi which dropped him off at the corner of Grayston Drive and Katherine Street in Sandton.”
Maphakela said the man walked past a silver vehicle and was approached by two suspects who had been in the car.
“The suspects grabbed the man’s hands and one of them pulled out a firearm and told him to hand over the R16 000,” said Maphakela. He said the complainant handed over the money which was in an envelope, and the suspects ran away.
Maphakela said, “This has been the third incident of theft that has been reported to us, and we urge the community to be more careful when they come from a bank.”
He said the suspects knew the exact amount of money in the envelope.
“Some of the suspects are inside the bank and pretend to be customers while they observe who is walking out of the bank with a lump sum of money,” explained Maphakela. He said this is how the robbers spot their next victim.
“At the moment we do not suspect the people working at the bank to be part of the scam,” he added.
He suggests that customers leaving the bank with large amounts of cash have security with them or travel with someone for protection.
“If you suspect any foul play, contact the police or drive to the nearest police station,” said Maphakela.
