/ 27 May 1999

COAL MINE HEIST

ABOUT 10 men armed with AK47 and R4 assault rifles robbed a coal mine in Secunda of over R1-million meant for salaries early on Tuesday morning, police said on Wednesday. Police spokesman Inspector Sibongile Nkosi said the men stormed the Sasol Brandspruit Coal Mine at about 4.30am when a security company delivered the money. “About 10 men entered the building where the money was being kept and ordered every one, including security guards, to lie down on their stomachs,” said Nkosi. The robbers then took the cash and cut the telephone lines before escaping. Nkosi said the men fled in two getaway cars. The one was later recovered at Embalenhle township. No shots were fired during the robbery and no one has been arrested.