Africa-Press – South-Africa. Limpopo police are searching for robbers who carried out a cash-in-transit heist in which a security guard was shot, and a female motorist was wounded after being caught in the crossfire.
The incident happened in Maupa village on Saturday.
According to police spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, the cash van had three occupants and was travelling on the R81 towards Giyani. A white Range Rover travelling in the opposite direction bumped into the van.
“The driver swerved and managed to avoid a collision, and the Range Rover then passed it. Another group of suspects in a blue Mercedes-Benz used a similar method and managed to bump the cash van, and the driver reduced speed. His crew jumped out to inspect the vehicle, but the Range Rover suddenly emerged again and opened fire on a Nissan NP200, which was escorting the security guards,” said Mojapelo.
“The cash van driver drove towards Maupa village but was accosted by a third group of suspects driving in a silver VW Amarok.”
Mojapelo said:
Fourteen houses were damaged by explosives when the robbers blew up the cash van, added Mojapelo. The driver, who was shot, was taken to hospital.
The Mercedes-Benz was later found burnt along the R81, and the Nissan NP200 was recovered in a nearby village without the keys. The keys were later found in a Toyota Land Cruiser that the robbers stole after the heist.
Police officers immediately launched a search for the robbers and spotted them in a Ford Ranger in the Tzaneen area. A shootout ensued, resulting in a 36-year-old woman being shot in her car, in the crossfire. The robbers fled the scene.
The provincial police commissioner has ordered the establishment of a task team to track down and arrest the robbers.
Police have opened a case of armed robbery, two counts of attempted murder and 14 counts of malicious damage to property.
Anyone with information has been urged to contact Lieutenant Colonel Richard Boshomane at 079 894 5501, Warrant Officer Phaladi Makola at 082 749 2233, or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
News24 previously reported that cash-in-transit heists increased by 19% year-on-year in the first two months of 2023, according to the Cash-In-Transit Association of SA (Citasa). The robberies usually involved large groups of up to 30 perpetrators and were becoming increasingly violent, said Citasa.
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