Nelspruit – Police in Witbank are searching for a group of suspects following a cash-in-transit robbery which occurred on Saturday, 27 November 2021 on N4/N12 split at Witbank where two police officers and two security guards were shot and injured during this incident.

According to the police report, a Fidelity cash van, escorted by two bakkies, was from Ermelo and Hendrina driving on the N4 road. Two Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles suddenly appeared driving at high speed, where one bumped into the truck causing it to overturn while the other tried to bump into the bakkie but the driver managed to swerve off the road.

A shootout ensued thereafter between the guards and some of the suspects, while the others (suspects) bombed the cash van. Two guards were injured in the process. While the incident was in progress, members from Middelburg Flying Squad, who were patrolling on the N4 noticed the commotion and traffic pile up and rushed to the scene. Upon arrival they were ambushed by another group of suspects driving in a Mazda iX35 as well as shot and injured two officers in process, however, one escaped unharmed. The suspects then fled in grey Audi and Mazda ix35.

Police also arrested a 44-year-old man after he was found with a huge sum of money suspected to be stolen at the scene. The man appeared at the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court today on a charge of theft.

The injured police officers and security guards were rushed to hospital for medical care.

Anyone with information that may assist police with the investigation or in locating the suspects can call the Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPS app. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

Source: South African Police Service