WEDNESDAY, 4.30PM:
SIX security guards were murdered in a military-style attack on two armoured cash delivery vehicles carrying R10-million on Wednesday morning.
The attack, remarkably similar to an R17-million heist in July this year, involved a gang of 20 robbers armed with AK47 automatic rifles. The gang placed a spiked chain across a road near Marble Hall, Mpumalanga then blocked the road with a yellow truck with government registration plates.
Shortly before noon, two armoured vans from the SBV security company driving north from Pretoria drove over the spiked chain, spun out of control and struck the yellow truck. Three of the security guards died in the collision.
The robbers moved in on the wrecked vans and shot all three remaining security guards, seized R10-million, then fled in four or five separate vehicles. One security guard, who lived just long enough to speak to rescuers, described the attackers to police.
Two of the prisoners in last week’s prison breakout were linked to the July R17-million heist, and a third was involved in a similar large robbery.
WEDNESDAY, 9.00PM:
Meanwhile, another armed robbery accused has escaped from police custody. Northern Province police spokesman Superintendent Frans Mojapelo said Clement Modise, 28, escaped from the Seshego Magistrate’s Court on Monday by fleeing through a toilet window after a policeman allowed him to use the toilet unescorted.
Police believe Modise could be linked to 90% of the cash-in-transit robberies in the Pietersburg, Lebowakgomo and Tzaneen areas of the Northern Province. He is said to be a member of a gang which includes the notorious Josiah “Fingers” Rabotati — wanted nationwide for security van robberies and escaping.
Modise was arrested in Pietersburg last Thursday and was facing charges of murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and vehicle theft.
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