Mhala – The group of about 20 armed robbers who made off with an undisclosed amount of money after a weekend cash-in-transit heist in Mhala near Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, remain on the run.
The cash-in-transit heist in which the robbers used explosives occurred on Saturday afternoon after a Fidelity armoured vehicle collected cash from a shopping centre in Mhala.
The robbers rammed an armoured vehicle with a silver Mercedes Benz and shot at it to force it to stop.
A Toyota Hilux bakkie escorting the armoured vehicle was also shot at by other robbers travelling in two cars.
The Toyota Hilux bakkie driver was shot and injured. When he stopped, his colleagues were disarmed of two rifles by the armed robbers.
Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi on Tuesday said several cases including cash-in-transit robbery, attempted murder and armed robbery had been opened.
“The escort vehicle of Fidelity FCS, a Toyota Hilux bakkie, was attacked by two VW Polos… a white and silver colour,” Sekgotodi said.
“They shot and injured the driver who was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. Two of their rifles were taken.
“The two Polos followed the armoured vehicle and shot at it until it stopped.
“The suspects forced the driver and the crew out of the vehicle and pushed them into the bushes.
“The firearms of the crew were also taken. About 20 suspects, all wearing balaclavas, gloves, and bulletproof vests attacked the armoured vehicle.”
Sekgotodi warned community members to refrain from interfering with such crime scenes by picking up money that may be left behind.
Such behaviour was against the law, she said.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspects should call Detective Warrant Officer Albert De Lange on 071 481 2815.
