Three men have been arrested in connection with the cash-in-transit robbery near Pongola on August 6, which sparked a major police operation as the suspects allegedly fled towards the Vryheid area.

Three arrested in Durban

The suspects, aged 37, 39 and 51, were arrested in Durban on Saturday (September 5) following an investigation into the robbery.

Armoured vehicle ambushed on R66

The incident happened on the R66 near Nkunzana, Nongoma, when an armoured cash vehicle travelling from Pongola to deliver money for pension payouts was ambushed by armed suspects.

The attackers allegedly opened fire on the vehicle before using explosives to gain access to the cash compartment.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said the suspects fired at the armoured vehicle until it stopped.

“The suspects fired shots towards the armoured vehicle until it stopped. Security guards were ordered to exit the vehicle, and they were robbed of two rifles and one 9mm pistol,” said Mhlongo.

The suspects then allegedly used explosives to blow open the cash vehicle before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of money.

The security crew members sustained minor injuries. No fatalities were reported.

READ: Armed suspects ambush cash-in-transit vehicle near Pongola

Dramatic getaway towards Vryheid

The robbery was followed by a dramatic getaway that brought the suspects into the Vryheid area, where several vehicles were allegedly hijacked as police pursued them.

According to Mhlongo, the suspects allegedly burnt the two vehicles used in the robbery after reaching Magudu before continuing towards Ngome in a Volkswagen Kombi.

Police gave chase, with the suspects allegedly opening fire as they travelled towards Vryheid.

The suspects allegedly hijacked a police vehicle as well as a civilian vehicle during the escape.

“One police officer was robbed of his service pistol during the hijacking. The State vehicle was abandoned near Nkamani Dam and the suspects allegedly hijacked another vehicle which was later found abandoned in Mondlo township,” said Mhlongo.

The suspects then allegedly headed towards Glückstadt, where they abandoned the Volkswagen Kombi and another hijacked vehicle.

Suspects flee into plantations

They fled on foot into nearby plantations in the Lenjane area, leading to an extensive search by police and other law enforcement agencies.

No arrests were made during the initial operation.

Some of the cash believed to have been taken during the robbery was recovered, although it was not immediately known whether all the stolen money had been found.

READ: UPDATE: Cash-in-transit suspect flee through Vryheid

Evidence recovered during investigation

Mhlongo said investigators later processed the various crime scenes and recovered approximately R23 000 in damaged cash notes, a cellphone, balaclavas, live ammunition, spent cartridges and other exhibits from the abandoned Volkswagen Kombi.

The investigation continued after the suspects escaped and eventually led police to the three men arrested in Durban.

The arrests were carried out by members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, assisted by National Priority Violent Crime units, Provincial Crime Intelligence, the eThekwini District Trio Task Team and the Durban Metro Police Trio Task Team.

During the arrests, police seized cellphones, cash and a vehicle suspected of having been used in the robbery.

Three face court over robbery

The three suspects appeared in court in Nongoma on Monday, September 7, in connection with the robbery and related offences.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area