National police spokesperson, Brenda Muridili, tells OFM News, the suspect died after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head in a shootout with police. According to Muridili, four vehicles, an unknown number of unlicensed firearms and an undisclosed amount of money have been confiscated in the incident. She says local police successfully managed to intercept the heist, after receiving a tip-off.

Muridili says at around 05:30, a multidisciplinary team was on standby as they observed an unknown vehicle deliberately crash into a G4S escort vehicle at a busy intersection on the OR Tambo Road in Bloemfontein. Not only did the first group of suspect’s vehicle erupt in flames from the impact of the intended crash, but a shootout between police and the suspects ensued. Not too far from the vehicle was the G4S cash van, which was headed in the direction of the N6 road. That van was brought to a halt and blast open using explosives - by a second group of assailants.

This second team was cornered by police in their getaway vehicle next to South Park cemetary.

They abandoned the vehicle, which still had money inside, and fled on foot. One of the suspects was shot in the head, allegedly by a police official, and was taken to hospital for medical attention, where he died. A G4S security guard was also injured during the shootout.

The MEC of Police, Roads and Transport, Sam Mashinini, was at the scene of the crime and briefly observed investigations.

This swift response from authorities comes on the back of a number of unsolved heists occurring in the Bloemfontein area in the latter half of 2019. On 4 July 2019, 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 on at around 06:30 am that Monday morning.

Hawks spokesperson Lynda, Steyn said at the time no money was taken, nor were there any casualties. Bullet shells were found by 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.

Muridili says the suspects will be appearing in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon.

OFM News