Two people were arrested on Tuesday and appeared in court, while a third person was arrested on Friday. A fourth person is still at large.

The arrests came after four armed men stormed a community hall in Elias Village, Ganyesa, where pension pay-outs were taking place, said police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone.

"They allegedly disarmed security guards and instructed everyone in the hall to lie down. The suspects then took two cash boxes and fled from the scene in a white Toyota double-cab vehicle," Mokgwabone said.

A joint search by various police units, residents and local farmers led to the arrest of the first two people in Kgokgojane Village. The two, both from Jouberton in Klerksdorp, fired at the officers but were apprehended in nearby bushes as they tried to flee.

Police seized two cash boxes containing R35 000 cash and two firearms. David Au, 35, and Mooketsi Makune, 32, appeared in court on Thursday. The accused will remain in custody until Thursday, 26 August. They face charges of armed robbery, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The third person, aged 43, was arrested in Vryburg on Friday following an intensive investigation by the investigation team. He is expected to appear in court on Monday on a charge of armed robbery.

News24