BY ERIC MATOME KGOMO
Mathyzensloop: Dozens of people rushed to the scene of an armed robbery on the R573 Road near Mathyzensloop Village outside Kwaggafongtein, to grab stacks of cash scattered all over the road, following a Cash In Transit (CIT) heist in the evening of Monday 12 April.
The people from local villages, including commuters who were ferried by Putco buses from Pretoria and motorists who were driving passing at the armed robbery scene, were alleged seen picking up left overs of R100 and R200 notes, stuffing them in their pockets and bags before leaving. When the police arrive, the people could not be deterred and continue to collect what they can from the crime scene before disappearing in the dark. A resident, who could not be named, said he was rudely woken up by a loud bang that was followed by gunshots and massive explosion. “I thought maybe it was an earthquake because the electricity immediately went off when it happened. I heard people screaming and shouting on the streets, calling each other to go and collect money as a cash van was robbed,” he said. He said he initially after a few minutes saw a group of people carrying money that they claim they took after criminals robbed a cash van. Colonel Brenda Muridili said a group of unknown suspects attacked two cash vans with explosives on Monday around 19:00. “It is reported that the suspects used explosives to gain entry into the armoured vehicles. They fled the scene with undisclosed amount of money in two white Ford Rangers,” said Muridili. She added that during the incident, three vehicles in the vicinity were involved in an accident after one of them was shot by stray bullets as the suspects were shooting at the armoured vehicles. “This resulted in three occupants of those vehicles sustaining injuries and were transported to hospital for medical attention,” she said.
Muridili said no arrests have been made yet and the police are busy with investigations. “We are appealing to anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects to call Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or send tip-offs on MySAPS App,” she said.
