Kimberley -
A gang of between 15 and 20 men stormed a diamond mine on Monday morning, overwhelmed a group of mine workers and security guards and robbed them at gunpoint.
A Douglas-based mining company, Steyn Diamante, incurred losses possibly running into millions of rands after its mine situated between Douglas and Prieska was robbed at gunpoint very early on Monday morning.
Steyn Diamante owner, Schalk Steyn, said on Monday that a group of between 15 and 20 men stormed the mine’s premises at around 2.45am and overwhelmed a group of mine workers and security guards, who were working night shift at the mine, which operates on a 24-hour basis.
He added that about 20 employees were dragged around, assaulted, tied up and held at gunpoint during the robbery.
Shots were also fired.
“The workers, some of whom tried escape in vehicles, were badly hurt during the ordeal,” Steyn said.
He added that the several workers sustained serious injuries to their heads and bodies, with four being admitted to the Prieska Hospital after they were hit with firearms.
One of the workers was on Monday afternoon still in hospital.
While the Northern Cape police spokeswoman, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, stated on Monday that three diamonds and other gems, the value of which was still unknown, were taken after a safe was forced open, Steyn said the biggest loss was incurred after the suspects extensively damaged various mining machinery.
“Two sorting machines, each worth several million rands, were among the machines damaged,” he said.
Steyn added that a small amount of diamond concentrate was also stolen during the robbery, but could not place a value on it.
“As the concentrate had yet not been sorted by the time of the robbery, it is impossible to say what its value might be. While it could have contained diamonds worth several million rands it could have also been completely worthless,” Steyn said.
He added that he was positive that the police would make speedy arrests and bring the culprits to justice.
Naidu on Monday said that a case of armed robbery was being investigated.
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