The Council of SA Banks (Cosab)
reports that R139,9 million was stolen from banks in 1997. According to
the South African Police Services (SAPS), 230 cash-in-transit robberies
were reported last year, 180 fewer than in 1996 when 410 were reported.
However, Cosab also reports that R31,5 million more was stolen from
banks last year than in 1996, a figure that includes R64,8 million
stolen in 103 cash-in-transit robberies. In 11 years SBV Services — set
up in 1986 by Standard Bank, First National Bank, Volkskas and Nedcor
to transport money — was subject to 52 attacks in which criminals got
away with money in 27 cases. In the year ending in November 1997 there
were 25 attacks, including 15 which were unsuccessful. Between November
and mid-March this year, three out of nine attacks were successful.
Companies offering similar services have also been affected.
The police’s Special Investigative Task Unit (SITU) is co-ordinating
investigations (in most cases undertaken by SAPS Murder and Robbery
Units) of cash-in-transit heists on a national basis dating back to
1995. Using a computer database, which is being developed at present,
investigators believe that it will be possible to check whether
suspects are wanted in connection with other cases around the country.
The SITU is investigating six cases and by the middle of last month had
recovered R2,5 million allegedly stolen during the cash-in-transit
heists.
Police are hesitant to suggest that many of the robberies, such as
those listed below, are linked. SAPS spokesman Superintendent Martin
Aylward says that although there has been much speculation in the media
and there is a strong possibility that many cases are linked, the
police do not have conclusive evidence. He says that many of the
robberies reveal excellent planning and precise execution and suggests
that four or five gangs may be pooling their resources and experience
to execute the major heists — from 20 to 40 criminals may have been
involved in one incident. Smaller robberies, however, often involve
only about eight people and planning is more likely to be poor.
The intelligence capacity of the SAPS has improved immensely during
these investigations — since January there have been no major
cash-in-transit heists and several attempts have been foiled. Aylward
says this is due to the “breakthrough” made by the police in arresting
suspects: more than 80 have been arrested since March.
Nine months of cash-in-transit
heists
- In July 1997, one security guard was killed and one injured during
a R6 million SBV cash-in-transit robbery in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal. No
suspects have been charged in connection with the case.
- Two security personnel died in a R17 million robbery on 31 July
1997 on the N4 highway near Bronkhorstspruit. About 15 armed robbers
ambushed the SBV security van by dragging a chain of metal spikes
across the highway. More than 100 spent AK-47 rifle, R4 rifle and 9mm
pistol cartridges were found on the scene. Nine suspects have been
arrested in connection with the case, including Oupa Edwin Seane, who
was re-arrested after escaping from custody in December.
- A 25-man gang escaped with R500,000 during a robbery at Sun City,
North West Province, in September 1997. A spiked chain was also used in
this robbery. Three alleged robbers have been arrested in connection
with this incident.
- R12,6 million was stolen from the SBV cash-clearing depot in
Sunnyside, Pretoria on 22 October 1997. The figure was originally
thought to be R18 million. Employees were taken hostage and forced to
hand money over to about 15 men. Four suspects have been arrested,
including Collin Chauke who escaped in December last year.
- In the Marble Hall, Mpumalanga robbery on 17 December 1997, R10
million was stolen and six security guards were killed. About 20
robbers used AK-47 rifles and Tokorev pistols to ambush an SBV convoy.
They used a provincial government lorry to force two SBV vehicles off
the road, killing six guards during the collision. The gang had a
spiked chain, which was not used during this incident, in their
possession. Thirteen suspects have been arrested, ten of whom have
previously been arrested on charges including hijacking, possession of
stolen vehicles, illegal possession of firearms and theft of case
dockets.
- Two men employed with Fidelity Guards were injured when attempts
were made by about 20 men to rob a cash-in-transit vehicle on the N1
near the Carousel, north of Pretoria, on 18 December 1997. Robbers
sitting on the back of three open bakkies, opened fire on the guards
using handguns and R5 and AK-47 rifles. The security vehicles turned
around and headed towards the Carousel, but the attackers rammed the
vehicles and continued to fire. No arrests had been made in connection
with this case by mid-March.
- Police foiled a robbery on 23 December 1997 near Ogies in
Mpumalanga. The SAPS received information about a planned robbery at a
Witbank mine. On their way they saw a bakkie with 12 men on board
travelling in the same direction. The bakkie was driven off at high
speed and overturned at a T-junction. Five suspects were arrested. Two
suspects were arrested after they hijacked a passing minibus taxi and
sped off with passengers. Two civilians were shot dead and four
wounded. An eighth suspect was arrested about an hour later. Four
suspects escaped at the time of the planned robbery.
- On 14 January 1998, R500,000 was stolen during a heist in
Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. A Coin Security vehicle was ambushed after
collecting money from a farm. About 15 men surrounded the guards and
ordered them out of the vehicles which they threatened to set alight.
No arrests have been made.
- On 20 January 1998, R1 million was stolen during a cash-in-transit
robbery on the M1 in Sandton. Police have made three arrests.
- A robbery was foiled on 26 January 1998 on the N12 highway near
Springs after robbers opened fire on a Fidelity Guards vehicle from a
highway bridge. A security guard in the escort vehicle returned fire,
shooting the tyre of a bakkie driven by the robbers. The robbers
abandoned their vehicle and hijacked a car about 200 metres away from
the scene. Four men were arrested and two firearms recovered at the
scene. Another six suspects were arrested later. A 9mm pistol and an
AK-47 rifle and R100,000 cash (believed to have been seized during
another robbery) were recovered. Police think some suspects are linked
to the Sandton, Bronkhorstspruit and Sun City robberies.
- In KwaZulu-Natal R12 million was taken during a heist on the R74
between Kearsney and Stanger on 30 January 1998.
Sixteen robbers travelling in two cars, with at least two back-up
vehicles, ambushed an SBV vehicle and an escort vehicle. During the
ensuing shootout two vehicles collided and three security guards were
injured.