R1m reward after heist

SBV Services is offering a R1-million reward for information leading to the arrests and conviction of armed robbers who carried out a brazen cash-in-transit heist at an ATM in Pinetown, during which an SBV officer was shot and killed yesterday.

Last night SBV Services chief executive Mark Barrett confirmed that the R1m reward had been put up.

“I am deeply saddened that one of our employees has lost his life during the attack and that another is in critical condition,” Barrett said.

“I wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family of our staff member who passed away and hope our injured staff member recovers speedily from his injuries.

“I wish to commend our team for their bravery in defending this violent attack.”

He added that SBV Services was working with police to track down the armed gang.

The shootout started in central Pinetown at about 7am as SBV guards were transferring money into an ATM machine on the corner of Dale and Moodie streets.

According to Blue Security TV spokesperson Andreas Mathios, a gang of armed men attacked the security guards as cash was being offloaded.

Gunfire was exchanged and KZN SAPS media spokesperson Thulani Zwane confirmed that a 31-year-old guard died at the scene, while another was wounded.

A 50-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene.

The suspects fled in two getaway vehicles, a white Honda Accord and a grey Mercedes-Benz.

The getaway vehicles were later found abandoned in different areas in New Germany.

Investigations have revealed the Honda was hijacked in Phoenix this month and the Mercedes in Newlands East.

When the suspects abandoned their getaway vehicles, they hijacked a Mercedes Sprinter carrying schoolchildren and forced the driver to take them to KwaDabeka where they fled.

Anyone with information should call the SBV Early Warning Robbery Hotline on 083 4087029, or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.