Two security guards are fighting for their lives in the hospital after a group of armed transit robbers attacked the money van in which they were travelling.
According to Brig. Selvy Mohlala, police spokesperson, the security guards were on their way to Mbombela on Wednesday around 17:30 when they came across a convoy of cars between Sabie and White River. In the cars was a group of armed robbers.
One of the vehicles was a single-cab Ford Ranger bakkie. The make of the other vehicles is unknown.
“The group of armed robbers opened fire on the guards and forced the cash van to stop,” says Mohlala. “The driver of the vehicle in which the guards were traveling was shot twice in the torso while another guard was shot in the head.”
Further information indicates that the suspects forced open the cash cart with explosives and thus gained access to cash in the cart. The suspects fled with an unknown amount of cash.
The police and paramedics were called to the scene where they came across the bloodied and wounded guards.
“Paramedics treated the guards at the scene before they were rushed to hospital for further medical treatment.”
The police filed a case of robbery, attempted murder and breach of the Explosives Act of South Africa.
A team of experts was assembled under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, provincial police commissioner in Mpumalanga, to investigate the case and track down the suspects.
“The police ask that anyone with more information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects, call the Stop Crime number on 08600 10111.”
