Johannesburg – The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) has on Wednesday, expressed outrage at the multi-million rand cash-in-transit heist at OR Tambo International airport.
This comes after a gang of armed robbers stole an undisclosed amount of money at Africa's biggest and busiest airport in Johannesburg on Tuesday night.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sabric chief executive Kalyani Pillay, said it was evident that the heist was executed using accurate information, which resulted in the criminals getting away with millions of rand in cash.
Pillay said this incident exacerbated an already dire situation of attacks on cash-in-transit vehicles and staff.
"The brazenness of the criminals involved, as well as the ease with which access was gained to such a secure area is of huge concern to us," Pillay said.
Sabric is a not-for-profit company formed by South African banks to support the banking industry in the combating of crime.
During 2016, Sabric recorded 269 cash-in-transit incidents nationally compared to 249 incidents in 2015. For the period 2017 year to date, 57 incidents have been recorded thus far.
"We know that syndicates perpetrating these kinds of crimes are highly skilled and organised," Pillay said.
"We trust that law enforcement authorities will make an early breakthrough in their investigations and bring the criminals responsible to book."
The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) said the armed robbery happened at around 7.45pm Tuesday night.
"No shots were fired and no injuries have been reported. The robbers fled and it is not known at this stage what, if anything, was taken during the incident," Acsa said in a statement.
"South African Police Service (SAPS) and Airports Company South Africa is working closely with other security agencies to apprehend the suspects. The investigation is at an early stage."
Spokesperson for Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi , was not immediately available to give an update but confirmed on Tuesday that a gang stole an undisclosed amount of money at the OR Tambo International Airport.
"The matter is receiving serious attention from the law enforcement agencies in the country. We are not in a position to divulge the details pending the outcome of the investigation," Mulaudzi had said.