Johannesburg - A group of men expecting a great Christmas with the millions they had stolen had the rug pulled from under them when they were arrested shortly after the robbery.
They were all found with the loot inside their houses, except for one who was arrested at work.
Allegations are that a number of armed men forced their way into the GS4 depot in Marble Hall, Limpopo, at around 2am on Wednesday after overpowering the security guards.
There, they moved their vehicle, a white Land Cruiser, in front of the roller door where four of them broke in and proceeded to a place where money was being counted.
Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the men then used a hammer to break the bulletproof glass of the security door.
As the armed men stormed the place, the people who were counting the money allegedly ran to another room and barricaded themselves in.
“A shot was fired inside the counting hall in the direction of the tellers,” Mulaudzi said.
The men are alleged to have stolen the money that was being counted, estimated at R10 million, which was to be taken to the bank. As they left, they started shooting at the people outside.
Mulaudzi said investigations led to the arrest of six men. He said the first ones, Jeff Maphake and Moses Mogwashoane, from Mamelodi West, were arrested the following day.
They were found in possession of R1.3 million, which was later confiscated. A red BMW found at the scene and believed to have been used during the robbery was also seized.
Later that day, Constable David Komane of Marble Hall police station was also arrested at the police barracks where he stays. Mulaudzi said R600 000 was found in Komane’s room.
A security guard working for GS4 was also arrested at work the same day. He was on duty on the day of the robbery, and although he was not found with any money on him, he is believed to have been one of the robbers.
Two other men were arrested on Friday in Mokopane, allegedly in possession of R600 000.
“We are still searching for the other suspects. Some of the arrested suspects went to court on Friday and will be back in court on December 21,” Mulaudzi said.
The Star
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