Police in Gauteng have launched a manhunt for those responsible for two cash-in-transit robberies that happened in less than an hour on the N4 highway and the R80 in Pretoria yesterday evening. A third heist took place near Mbombela, Mpumalanga at 10:45 that morning but police are yet to comment on the matter.

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe the first heist in Pretoria happened at 17:20 with the second one taking place around 17:45.

“A group of suspects travelling in a BMW E90 rammed into a cash-in-transit vehicle [in the first heist],” Mathe says.

“It was travelling on the N4 between Simon Vermooten and Rossouw off ramps. The collision caused it to overturn.”

She says the suspects placed explosives on the vehicle, exploding it to gain access as the security guard inside narrowly managed to escape.

An undisclosed amount of money was taken, and suspects fled in a white BMW and a white Toyota Hilux.

The BMW has since been found in Equestria, according to police.

Mathe says in the second incident a CIT vehcile was travelling along the R80 from Soshanguve when suspects travelling in a black Ford Ranger started shooting at it causing it to stop.

The vehicle was bombed and an undisclosed amount of money taken. The suspects fled the scene in a silver Hyundai.

Police experts and crime scene managers were called to both scenes on Monday night to start their investigations says Mathe.

She says detectives are working around the clock to trace the suspects who are behind both incidents.

“Anyone with information is encouraged to come forward to the crime stop hotline number on 08600 10111. Callers may remain anonymous.”

• Details about the incident in Mpumalanga are still unclear. According to information from bystanders, the incident happened at around 10:45 near the N4 on the Kanyamazane turnoff. Unconfirmed reports are that a car was used to ram the CIT vehicle.