Cash-in-transit robbers strikes again

A manhunt is under way for cash-in-transit robbers who are still on the loose.

On April 6 at approximately 14:45 an SBV team was attacked by an unknown number of suspects while driving their vehicle on the road between Verena and eMalahleni after collecting money from various clients.

About 15 kilometres from eMalahleni at Bulpan Bridge a cream Mercedes tried to force the SBV armoured vehicle off the road. The Mercedes then overtook the SBV van and speeded off in the direction of eMalahleni. Just after the Mercedes took off another two vehicles amongst other a bakkie and a Volkswagen Golf started shooting at SBV from the drivers side. The suspects opened fire and shot at the SBV van’s tyres.

The tyres of the SBV cash in transit vehicle that was peppered with bullets on April 6.

The four SBV guards then returned fire from within the van and managed to keep the suspects away from the vehicle with an unknown amount of cash in transit.
The SBV’s team successfully defended the attack and the suspects fled the scene without taking any cash.
While three of Witbank SAPS members were patrolling the CBD (Central Business District) they got a call from the radio control for backup at a cash-in-transit robbery.

The SBV vehicle after a shootout of almost 10 kilometres between an unknown number of heavily armed men.

They responded promptly and within minutes approached the crime scene and carefully observed the situation.
It was later alleged that AK-47’s and R5 rifles were used as empty cartridges were found on the scene by SAPS members.

Just four days after this attempted cash-in-transit robbery, another robbery occurred on the Luphise Road in Nelspruit on April 10.
It was alleged that two Fidelity Security company guards were driving from Emoyeni Mall to Nkomazi when they were surprised by the hailstorm of bullets from the rear side of the van.
The driver said that he was surprised when he saw three Mercedes’ following them which then started shooting at them.

The Fidelity vehicle that was the target of a cash in transit robbery along the Luphise Road on April 10.

The driver further said that they shot the two front tyres and the vehicle automatically stopped.
One of the unknown suspects shot one of the security guards who sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a hospital.
The suspects then took the opportunity and used explosives to bomb the safe and fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money.

“The SAPS investigation is continuing to trace the suspects,” said the police spokesperson for Witbank SAPS, Capt Eddie Hall.

WITBANK NEWS also did an article on April 8 about a cash-in-transit robbery where two guards were shot and the suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

Mark Barrett, Managing Director of SBV Services said the following.

“On behalf of the executive team at SBV Services, I wish to commend our employees for their unwavering courage and dedication in defending this attack. I wish to reaffirm SBV’s intolerance for criminal attacks. We take crime seriously and our employees are professionally trained to protect human lives and our customers’ assets. We have also designed and built our vehicles to withstand the most extreme violence.
A warning to criminals that we value life, we stand together and will not give up.”

SBV Services warns perpetrators that they have a zero tolerance for crime and that there will be dire consequences for individuals intending to execute any crimes that would place their employees as well as the public at risk.

SBV’s Risk and Governance team are working with the SAPS to apprehend the suspects. Members of the public, who are aware of any information regarding this incident, are encouraged to get in touch with SBV’s Risk and Governance team via the SBV Early Warning Robbery Hotline on 083 408 7029.