Suspects still at large after CIT robbery

BARBERTON - No arrest has been made yet after a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery, during which two security guards were injured and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken near town on Saturday.

According to the SAPS’s national spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the Mpumalanga SAPS is investigating cases of armed robbery and attempted murder.

Reports indicate that an armoured cash delivery truck and its escort vehicle were travelling along the R38 between eManzana (formerly Badplaas) and Barberton, when they were accosted by the suspects travelling in three vehicles; two white Mercedes-Benz sedans and a white Toyota Etios.

“The suspects allegedly fired shots at the security guards and seriously injured two of them. The suspects are reported to have fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money,” Netshiunda said.

Two of the vehicles the suspects allegedly used as getaway vehicles were found abandoned in Ndubazi Forest. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the two vehicles, the white Toyota Etios and a grey Honda i-VTEC, belong to private companies in Sandton and Wonderboom in Gauteng. “The two vehicles were neither reported stolen nor hijacked. Investigations continue, and the manhunt for the suspects is under way. No arrests have been made yet,” Netshiunda said.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspects, is encouraged to contact the nearest police station, call the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or alert the police via the My SAPS app.