KABOKWENI – An attempted robbery turned into a massive shoot-out at a local shopping centre when a number of perpetrators tried to rob a cash-in-transit vehicle on Tuesday.
Witnesses say the armed robbers disarmed the SBV guards as they stepped out of their armoured vehicle around 14:00. Before any money could be stolen by the suspects, some of the guards who were still armed, started firing shots. The perpetrators immediately retaliated with fire. KaBokweni police arrived at the scene and also started shooting which caused the robbers to finally relent. They jumped onto a Nissan bakkie and in a GTi Golf and sped off in the direction of Clau Clau, with the police hot on their heels. Nelspruit Flying Squad and the White River K9 Unit also reacted. The suspects stopped along the way and jumped into a Toyota minibus.
Capt Piet Smith of the flying squad then requested Hi-Tech Security Hazyview to contact Spes-Plan Security to assist. They patrolled the area to see if the suspects would pass through the areas surrounding the R538. They drove in the direction of Mahhushu and waited at the Numbi Gate turn-off.
With the SAPS still in pursuit, the men left their vehicle at Clau Clau Cemetery and fled on foot. One of the robbers was, however, arrested at the car. Most of the arms stolen from the guards earlier, which included a LM5, an AK-47, a shotgun and a pistol, had been recovered. A helicopter was then deployed to assist in the search for the suspects.
Both the GTi and the bakkie was then found by authorities on the ground, partially hidden in the bush near Clau Clau. They phoned the number plates through to White River SAPS and found that both of them had been stolen. A female resident passing by then indicated that she had seen people running past her. While searching in the direction in which they had fled, another rifle, an R4 was found in the bush. An R5 rifle was also found on Wednesday.
Two SBV guards had to be treated for minor injuries, but made a full recovery. By the time of going to press, provincial police spokesman, Brig Selvy Mohlala said no further arrests had been made.
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