By Kopano Dibakwane
A case docket for cash-in-transit robbery, attempted murder and armed robbery is under investigation after a Fidelity armoured cash vehicle was reportedly attacked by a group of 20 suspects at Mhala in Bushbuckridge, on Saturday 8 June.
Mpumalanga spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said the armoured vehicle of Fidelity Security Company was transporting money from retail outlets in Thulamahashe to the depot when it was rammed by a silver Mercedes Benz.
According to Sekgotodi, the escort vehicle, a Toyota Hilux bakkie, which also belongs to Fidelity, was attacked by two VW Polos(white and silver in colour).
“ They shot and injured the driver who was taken to 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, bulletproof vests, gloves and speaking in Zulu,” said Sekgotodi.
She added that the suspects blew the armoured vehicle twice with explosives and an undisclosed amount of money was taken in the process.
“ The suspects fled the scene in the direction of Dwaarsloop. It was further reported that the community descended on the crime scene and looted the remainder of the loose money scattered,” said Sekgotodi.
She said that a team of experts from Nelspruit based Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Mhala SAPS and detectives, Acornhoek LCRC, Nelspruit Bomb disposal and Fidelity, attended the scene.
Mpumalanga Head of the Hawks, Major General-Nicholas Gerber, has appealed to the public to refrain from contaminating the crime scene as it is dangerous. Gerber also said that there might be some explosives which were not detonated during the blast.
“ They may explode and injure them while collecting the money. It is further requested that anyone who knows the suspects to report to the police or the investigator,” said Gerber.
Caption: The armoured cash vehicle after it was attacked
Caption: One of the vehicles reportedly used during the robbery
