Three men cornered, arrested after robbery at SASSA paypoint
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba commended the police for the swift arrest of three men after a South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) paypoint in the province was robbed.
LIMPOPO – According to police reports, five men men had held up the paypoint at Bergendal at around 09:00 on Wednesday.
“The men has entered the paypoint, held a female cashier at gunpoint and forced her to unlock the safe. The men also disarmed the security officers on duty and robbed them of their rifles, before loading the bags of money into one of the three getaway vehicles and fleeing the scene,” explained Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojaelo in a statement on Thursday morning.
In the statement he said the local police were alerted about the robbery while it was still in progress and rushed to the scene. “They requested backup from the neighboring police stations of Senwabarwana, Tolwe, Mogwadi and Saamboubrug. Members from the Highway Patrol, the K9 Unit and Tactical Response Team (TRT) also formed part of the operation. The teams were later joined by the Airwing Unit.”
Read more: Manhunt launched for 8 suspects after SASSA robbery
The fleeing suspects were pursued until they abandoned their getaway vehicles and fled on foot. The men were cornered by the police and three were arrested. The remaning two men managed to evade arrest and flee on foot.
“On the scene the police managed to recover two bags of money, as well as five firearms, including that the rifles which were stolen from the security officers.”
A manhunt continues for the remaining two men and the police appeals to anyone with information that can lead to their arrest, to contact their nearest police station.
The three men, aged 40, 42 and 53 will appear in Senwabarwana Magistrate Court on Friday, 11 September.
