Heist suspects are still at large

MALALANE – No arrests have been made with regard to the cash-in-transit heist of an armoured vehicle last Tuesday.

The police have launched a massive manhunt for the 10 suspects believed to have been responsible.

The incident occurred on the Buffelspruit/Kaarlug Road just outside of town. According to information at the police’s disposal, a G4S security vehicle had just collected money from a business in the Schoemansdal Shopping Complex.

“While on their way to Malalane, they were attacked by heavily armed suspects who were driving a silver Mazda5 CX7 and blue Ford Ranger. They all wore balaclavas. They opened fire on the guards’ vehicle, deflating the tyres and forcing the driver to come to a halt.

“The guards were then disarmed and forced out of the vehicle after which explosives were used to gain access to the money.

“The attackers then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. Both getaway vehicles – the Mazda CX7 which appears to have been stolen in Edenvale, and the Ford Ranger – were found abandoned in a sugar-cane field.

“The perpetrators are believed to have fled in a white BMW X5 and Range Rover after abandoning their getaway vehicles,” according to a police media statement on Wednesday.

It is believed that attackers were under the impression that the vehicle was carrying pension and social-grant monies. This was, however, not the case.

The police urge anyone with information that might lead to arrests to contact WO Doctor Nkosi on 082-303-9746.