Heavily armed men ambushed and robbed a cash in transit vehicle near the water reservoirs on Wednesday night, October 6.
According to Capt David Mariri, the commander of Kinross Police Station, the cash van was hit just after 18:30 on the road between the reservoirs and the turn off to Kriel.
“The robbers apparently stood in the middle of the road and opened fire on the GS4 vehicle, as well as truck. The truck was targeted to block off the road.”
Capt Mariri said the large gang of robbers used explosives to blast open the vehicle.
“The blast was so powerful that it blew open the roof. Three of the security guards were injured in the blast,” said Capt Mariri.
According to him, a vast amount of cash was looted from the vehicle and the impact of the blast also caused money to be strewn into the veld and road.
“We were able to retrieve the money that was strewn about.”
A motorist who was on the way to her home in Kriel, told Ridge Times that she was also caught in the firing line.
“It was raining and getting dark fast so I did not realise what was happening in front of me,” Ms Angeline Adamska said.
“I saw stationery truck blocking the double lane and just as I tried to pass it, I saw a man with a balaclava warding me off.
“I then slammed on the brakes and reversed out of there so fast.”
Ms Adamska stopped and phoned the police. It was then she heard the shots and saw the sparks of bullets being fired in the dark.
“That’s when I made a U-turn and took off. I was really afraid,” she said.
Capt Mariri said the police were on the scene throughout the night
No arrests have yet been made.
