ATM bombers escape with an undisclosed amount
Police are yet to make any arrests after an ATM bombing which ended in a shoot-out between police and the suspects.
KAMHLUSHWA – In the early morning hours of Monday five armed men reportedly targeted the KaMhlushwa Sasol garage.
According to residents who live nearby gunshots was heard coming from the petrol station at around 03:00.
The spokesman for the police, Lt Mzwandile Nyambi, said the suspects forced everyone inside.
“According to the statements we have taken, the suspects were travelling in a white Golf and there was also an BMW present at the scene. All the employees were ordered into the store, some were locked up in the kitchen and others in the toilet,” Nyambi explained.
The gang then cleaned out the store’s cash register and drop safe, and bombed the ATM inside the store.
Nyambi added that no one was injured during the shooting.
He said, “Police officers responded to the report, upon arrival a shoot-out ensued between police officer and robbers. They however, managed to escape.”
It is alleged that the robbers also took the video footage of the whole incident.
Nyambi told Corridor Gazette that all the staff members had received counselling after the incident.
“For most of them it was the first time to be so close to a gunfight. So they are receiving trauma counselling,” Nyambi said.
Since the incident the petrol station has been closed for business.
Nyambi urged the community to assist them in the ongoing investigation.
He said, “We are calling on the help of the community to assist us in establishing leads. We encourage anyone who may have seen anything to come forward. All and any information is valuable.”
Anyone with any information can contact Nyambi on 079-891-5782.
