G4S Secure Solutions has raised concerns over the level of violence used when armed gangs target its cash-in-transit vehicles.
An SA National Defence Force (SANDF) member and a police officer were among 13 suspects arrested following a cash-in-transit heist in Carletonville on the West Rand on Friday, reported News24.
G4S South Africa MD Renso Smit, said that while the number of attacks overall has remained relatively constant, what has changed is the level of violence, they are more organised in nature, and involve a large number of perpetrators.
West Rand District police commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana said the police spotted a Mercedes-Benz and Audi A3, and followed them to a specific house.
The police recovered ‘millions of cash’ and commercial explosives from the Audi A3. A large amount of dagga was found in house.
‘One of the arrested suspects is a member of the SA Police Service who is stationed in Carletonville who was off duty. One of the other suspects who we managed to arrest is a member of the SA National Defence Force based in Lenasia. The same SANDF member was arrested months back in Wedela where there was a cash-in-transit heist.
‘He is currently out on bail and is still attending court with regards to the same cash-in-transit-heist,’ he added.
According to Smit, the gang attempted to bomb the security vehicle. ‘The vehicle was installed with anti-theft polyurethane foam, which solidifies around the cash when a vehicle is rammed, bombed or shot at. The hardened foam encases the CIT vehicle’s vault, rendering the cash useless.’
Police found a Tucson with unlicenced ammunition and as well as a Quantum kombi which was used to transport the assailants after the commission of the crime.
[Photo: Esa Alexander/Sunday Times]