The Sasol filling station in FD Viljoen Street was the scene of a violent armed robbery in the early hours of this morning (at about 01:30), during which suspects detonated explosives and exchanged gunfire with a private security company.

According to Standerton police spokesperson, Captain Braam Robberts, five employees and a security guard were on duty at the time of the attack. One of the petrol attendants was sitting in his private vehicle in front of the kiosk when he was ambushed by two armed suspects, believed to have approached from behind the building.

The attendant was forced into the kiosk, where the rest of the staff were held at gunpoint and ordered to lie on the floor. Moments later, suspects detonated an explosive device to access the drop-in safe. A second blast targeted an ABSA ATM located at the front of the premises.

Kasselman Security Services (KSS) responded swiftly to the alarm, resulting in a shootout between a security officer and the suspects. Although several vehicles were hit by gunfire, including a Kasselman patrol vehicle and a stationary truck across the street, no injuries were reported.

A vehicle believed to be a Chevrolet Cruze (make and colour unconfirmed) entered the premises and collected some of the suspects. Others reportedly fled on foot in the direction of Secunda. Surveillance footage captured at least six individuals involved in the attack.

Robberts said the police recovered 38 spent AK-47 cartridges at the scene, along with a projectile lodged in the trailer of the truck. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen during the robbery.

Security teams from Balfour and Secunda pursued possible escape routes out of Standerton but found no trace of the fleeing suspects. All relevant authorities attended the scene, and investigations are ongoing.