Robbers armed with R4s rob bank

FOUR robbers, two men and two women, armed with R4 assault rifles robbed Capitec Bank in Thohoyandou on Saturday morning after gaining access to the bank by pretending to be customers.

The robbers fired two shots into the air, forcing everyone in the bank to lie on the ground while they took four boxes filled with an undisclosed amount.

Thohoyandou police spokesperson, Maj Mashudu Malelo, said the money was ready to be loaded into the ATMs when the robbers arrived.

Malelo said the robbers fled, firing several bullets into the air as they went.

“People who were shopping and waiting for taxis at the taxi rank ran away, and while no one in the bank was injured, several shoppers were injured when they ran for cover,” he said.

Malelo said it was not certain how many people formed part of the robbery, as there were an unknown number of gangsters keeping a look out outside the bank and at the taxi rank.

The robbers fled in a sedan, which was waiting for them at the taxi rank, and was driven by a woman.

Last year in August, a robber was shot dead and a security guard wounded during a cash-in-transit robbery at Mutsindo Mall in Thohoyandou.

Shoppers had to run for cover when a shoot out between six robbers and cash-in-transit security officers ensured.

Five of the robbers escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Anyone with information regarding these robberies can contact their nearest police station or phone Crime Stop at 08600 10111.