DURBAN – Yesterday morning at 09:00, a northern KwaZulu-Natal pension pay point at Gunjaneni in KwaMsane was held up by a gang of approximately 15 armed men. It is alleged that the men held up officials at the pension pay out as well as security guards. The men shot one of the guards in the leg. The suspects escaped with a large sum of cash, four firearms belonging to the security guards as well as a vehicle stolen at the pension pay point.

Police officers at KwaMsane were notified of the robbery and immediately mobilised all police stations as well as specialised units in the area. All escape routes were shut down as the hunt for these men commenced. At one of the escape routes a vehicle with two occupants that appeared to be fleeing from the scene was stopped. The two occupants were interrogated and it was discovered that one of the men was a 25-year-old Constable from the neighbouring Hlabisa police station. Police seized the police officer’s firearm and took both men into custody for further questioning.

Further investigation, which continued until the early hours of this morning, resulted in the arrest of an additional seven men and seizure of four firearms, three of which belonged to the security guards. Four vehicles were seized, including the vehicle that was stolen from the pension pay point.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi commended the speedy arrest of the armed robbers. “The rapid response by police officers based in KwaMsane and northern KwaZulu-Natal must be applauded. They worked throughout the night to ensure that these perpetrators are brought to book. We also welcome the arrest of a rogue police officer who was amongst this group, which is also an indication that the majority of our police officers do not tolerate criminal elements who have creeped into our ranks,” he said.

An undisclosed amount of cash was also recovered from the arrested suspects. The nine men, who are between 35 and 38 years old, were detained on charges of armed robbery and attempted murder pending further investigation. More arrests are expected as police continue the manhunt for the outstanding suspects as well as cash that was taken during the robbery. The arrested suspects will appear in court soon.

Source: South African Police Service