The incident took place on Thursday (3/7), at approximately 17:20, as a cash-in-transit vehicle was travelling from Botshabelo towards Bloemfontein. 

According to reports, a group of unknown assailants driving a silver Mercedes-Benz rammed the cash vehicle and opened fire. The driver of the cash vehicle was shot and sustained an injury to the right arm.

Following the attack, the suspects reportedly set the Mercedes-Benz on fire and disarmed the security guards by taking their firearms. 

The robbers then used explosives to forcibly open the safe inside the cash vehicle, making away with an undisclosed amount of cash, said Hawks spokesperson in the Free State, Fikiswa Matoti.

The suspects escaped the scene in two other vehicles, a white Toyota GD6 and a dark grey Ford Ranger. Law enforcement authorities closed the N8 for several hours following the incident, leaving motorists stranded as the crime scene was secured for investigations and the road was cleared.

Authorities have called on the public to assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice. “Anyone with information related to this robbery is urged to contact Lt Col Skota of the Hawks at 079 509 4998 or 051 412 3000,” Matoti said.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg