This is the third successful cash-in-transit occurring just outside of Bloemfontein in just under eight months, with no arrests made in connection with the previous heists.

Details surrounding the incident remain sketchy, but police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, confirms the incident occurred just before 06:00 am this morning. Reports are that the suspects who were travelling in a white BMW and a silver Mercedes Benz accosted a moving G4S vehicle, managing to bring it to a halt by shooting at it. An unknown number of suspects allegedly used explosives to force the vehicle open, fleeing the scene thereafter. The N6 remains closed off for traffic.

In the latter half of 2019, the OFM News team reported on unresolved cash-in-transit heists near the Free State capital Bloemfontein. On 4 July 2018, the Hawks in the Free State launched a manhunt for at least ten suspects alleged to have opened gunfire on a cash-in-transit van at around 06:30 am that Monday morning. Hawks spokesperson, Lynda Steyn, said no money was taken there, nor were there any casualties. Bullet cases/shells were found by authorities strewn across the crime scene which stretched quite a distance on the R702 road.

Over a month later, about ten gunmen again, armed with assault rifles blew up a cash-in-transit van travelling on the N8 road, near the Bram Fischer Airport outside Bloemfontein. The gunmen, who were travelling in a double-cab bakkie and a sedan, also shot at a police helicopter which was in the area. It is unknown how much money they made away with. These cases are yet to be resolved.

Elsewhere in Central South Africa, a dozen people arrested in the North West for their alleged involvement in a cash-in-transit heist this week are expected to appear before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court today.

OFM News/Katleho Morapela and Olebogeng Motse