The Serious Organized Crime Investigation team of the Hawks based in East London is seeking public assistance to locate cash-in-transit suspects on seven charges of attempted murders and armed robbery. According to the Hawks spokesperson, Yolisa Mgolodela, information received will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Mgolodela said that any arrest that will lead to a conviction due to information given will lead to a substantial payment amount to the whistle blower.
According to her it is alleged that on Friday, March 8, at about 18:00, a G4S security armored vehicle (AV) was transporting money from the Butterworth area back to East London.
She said that as the AV approached the Ndabakazi turnoff, suspects in three white bakkies fired shots at the AV until it lost control and rolled, subsequently laying on its roof.
“The three guards were reportedly ordered to get out of the vehicle. They had their three pistols robbed and the AV blown-up with explosives. The guards are said to have sustained injuries during this incident.
While the suspects were collecting an undisclosed amount of money, a police vehicle came across the scene where they were accosted with a hail of bullets from the suspects. A shootout ensued between the police and the suspects where one member was wounded,” Mgolodela explained.
She added that they escaped the scene in three Toyota bakkies.
The three security guards and the injured member were taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Mgolodela said that the Hawks are appealing to the public to come forward with information that can lead to the arrest of at least 20 suspects. Anyone with information must contact Detective Warrant Officer Mlumbi 071 481 3009.
“Information received will be treated with strictest confidentiality,” she concluded.
