Daring man robbed Fidelity Security crew, got away with an undisclosed amount of money

Police in Limpopo have launched a massive manhunt for assailants who robbed Fidelity Security guards at Dzumeri Machayisenga complex in Giyani.

It is alleged that on Monday, two security officials went to the complex to load money into ATMs.

Limpopo spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said the Fidelity Security crew accompanied by a rifleman alighted from the armoured vehicle and went to load the ATMs.

In the process, the rifleman was intercepted by a gunman who pointed him with a firearm.

“The suspect ordered the security official to lie down. The suspect took the trolley and removed two sealed bags containing an undisclosed amount of cash. Thereafter, he (assailant) proceeded to the driver and robbed him of his service pistol and ammunition,” said Mmuroa.

The robber went to a white Nissan NP200 and drove off.

“The Phalaborwa serious organised crime investigation, Giyani detectives, Giyani crime intelligence, and Giyani local criminal record centre were summoned to the crime scene. Several spent cartridges for a pistol were found at the scene,” said Mmuroa.

No one was injured during the incident.

Witnesses have told police that they saw three people wearing reflector jackets during the robbery.

“The case of armed robbery was opened for investigation. The Hawks national priority violent crime (NPVC) unit is handling the matter,” said Mmuroa.

“Anyone with information that can lead the police to arrest the suspects is urged to contact the police Crime Stop at 08600 10111, use My SAPS App, or alternatively contact the nearest police station.”

Meanwhile, acting provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Brigadier Desmond Alexander has activated a dedicated team of detectives to trace the robber.

“Although the tracking NPVC is on the ground tracing the suspects, we are requesting the community to come forward with valuable information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the offenders,” said Alexander.

On Tuesday, IOL reported that the Cash-In-Transit Association in South Africa (Citasa) has expressed concern regarding the safety of innocent bystanders and motorists at cash-in-transit (CIT) crime scenes, as seen in the N2 incident in Durban this week.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said provincial police are searching for an unknown number of suspects following a CIT robbery on the N2 southbound.

“It is reported that the suspects accosted a cash-in-transit vehicle, assaulted two security guards, and robbed them of their firearms before stealing an undisclosed amount of money. During the robbery, the suspects fired several shots and three bystanders were reportedly shot and injured,” Netshiunda said.

“The suspects fled the scene through the Bayview area and on Silverglen Drive, they shot and injured a private security guard who gave chase. The suspects allegedly shot towards a minibus taxi which they reportedly attempted to hijack. A woman was shot and died, and another woman, who was walking along the road was also shot and injured.”

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL