Motorists flee as robbers blow up cash van
WET bank notes lay stuck to the tarmac around a badly damaged G4S cash-in-transit van after it was shot at and blown up with commercial explosives on a busy motorway in Cape Town yesterday.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Brenda Muridili confirmed that there had been a cash-in-transit heist on Jakes Gerwel Drive (formerly Vanguard Drive). G4S Cash Solutions managing director Keith Alberts said one of its armoured vehicles had been attacked while performing a cash collection in Athlone.
“A large number of armed robbers opened fire on the vehicle, bringing it to a standstill. The robbers used commercial explosives to gain access to the vehicle and‚ at this stage‚ the cash loss is unknown‚” he said.
A team of forensic experts combed the scene for clues, watched by hundreds of bystanders.
A security officer‚ wearing a G4S uniform‚ walked around with his head covered by a bandage.
Video footage taken by witnesses recorded several gunshots being fired‚ causing mayhem in early-morning traffic as motorists tried to get away from the scene.
The road was cordoned off as residents of Hanover Park and Manenberg gathered nearby‚ some suggesting that if the wind picked up, the wet cash would blow in their direction.
The side of the cash van appeared to have been ripped open, with bullet marks on the front windows.
City of Cape Town spokesman Richard Coleman confirmed Jakes Gerwel Drive had to be closed in both directions between Weltevreden and Turfhall Road. It was reopened at about 2pm.