NELSPRUIT - The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has vowed that police will work hard to arrest suspects involved in the incident whereby cash was forcefully taken at a fuel station in Graskop in the early hours of Tuesday, 03 January 2023.

According to the report, a group of more than 20 armed suspects who covered their faces with balaclavas reportedly stormed into a filling station in Graskop, an area which is regarded as one of the tourist destinations in the province.

The report further indicates that on that day, the said suspects initially posed as clients who wanted to refill at the fuel station at around 00:00. However when fuel attendants offered their assistance, the suspects reportedly held them at gunpoint thereby tying all of them with cable ties. The cashier who was held hostage as well, was reportedly ordered to show them where the drop-in-safe was. Later, the suspects allegedly detonated some explosives to open the safe then they reportedly made off with undisclosed amount of cash.

It is also alleged that a few minutes later, the suspects went to a tourist centre, a business premises which is nearby and is mostly visited by tourists. The premises is situated few metres away from the said filling station which was attacked earlier. It is said that the suspects held a security guard at gunpoint then tied him with cable ties. The suspects then somehow disabled the alarm system before accessing the building and detonated some explosives to access cash from the safe. They reportedly made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Members of the public who might have information on the whereabouts of the suspects can call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively information may be sent via MYSAPSAPP. All information received will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

Source: South African Police Service