R1 million is up for grabs for anyone who can help find cash-in-transit heist suspects who killed a security official.
An SBV official was killed on Friday when he was attacked by men who bombed a CIT van during a heist in Kimberley.
CIT VAN TARGETED DURING HEIST
At around 04:55 on Friday morning, the security official was busy conducting his duties of collecting and dropping off money.
He was suddenly accosted by a group of suspects in a BMW on the R31 in Kimberely, Northern Cape, police said.
According to reports, the group rammed their BMW into the CIT van, causing it to roll over, said spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe.
“The suspects then placed explosives onto the cash-van to gain access to the money. As a result of the explosion, one security officer succumbed to his injuries on the scene.”
Colonel Athlenda Mathe
Three of his colleagues were taken to a local hospital for medical care, said Mathe.
“Police can confirm that the suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money in a taxi.”
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MANHUNT LAUNCHED FOR KILLER SUSPECTS
The Kimberley police have launched a 72-hour activation plan to find the suspects behind the heist.
“Police have activated maximum resources and are on the lookout for the getaway vehicle, which has been established to be either a Hyundai H1 or a Toyota Quantum,” said Mathe.
A case of cash-in-transit heist, murder and attempted murder are being investigated.
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R1 MILLION REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION
But SBV was offering a R1 million reward for the heist and the death of their employee, who is identified as Pule Maduna.
The three hospitalised crew members are identified as Rodger Lekoma, Dipholo Matshumu and Lougan Andreas.
Group CEO Mark Barret says the suspects used high-power guns and explosives during the heist.
But he assured the public and colleagues that they will never close a case until it is solved. SBV will make sure that the criminals involved in the heist and violent attack are apprehended, said Barret.
Therefore, a reward is being offered for further information.
“We are offering a reward of R1 million in response to the senseless loss of our colleague. SBV will double up its efforts to ensure that all individuals involved in this attack are brought to book and face the full consequences of the law.”
Mark Barret
“On behalf of the entire organisation, I wish to extend our sincere condolences to the Maduna family and to our colleagues at the Kimberely centre.”
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Anyone with information regarding the attack can contact the police or the SBV hotline on 083 408 7029.
“The SBV leadership team observed a moment of silence in commemoration of our lost colleague. I encourage all our teams and centres to do the same as we pay tribute to Pule – a brave hero who was lost in the line of duty,” said Barret.