MPUMALANGA police have launched a manhunt for five heavily armed suspects.
They bombed an ATM in a shop at Thulamahashe Plaza and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash on Saturday, 24 September, at about 1,30am.
Security guards were at the other section of the mall when they spotted the suspects entering the premises and going straight to the shop.
They heard a loud explosion from the shop’s direction while calling for back-up.
The guards quickly disrupted them and a shoot-out ensued between the guards and the fleeing suspects.
Upon the police’s arrival, they had already vanished with the money.
You must be SIGNED IN to read comments
Colonel Donald Mdhluli confirmed that police were investigating a business robbery incident in which explosives were detonated by suspects, resulting in an ATM machine being damaged.
He said an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen.
“A group of about five armed suspects were spotted by the security guards entering the shopping plaza at Thulamahashe near Bushbuckridge at about 1.30am. Backup was called by the security officers, and it is further said that a loud bang was heard then followed by a shoot-out between the guards and the suspects. The suspects are said to have then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash stolen from the damaged ATM machine.
“The matter was reported to the police and on arrival, a case was opened. Police recovered some cartridges at the scene. No one has been arrested as yet,” said Mdhluli.
He said that investigators were in pursuit of the suspects.
Anyone with information that may assist in apprehending the suspects is urged to contact Mhala police on 013 773 0331, Detective Captain Jerry Ubisi on 072 624 5133, or CrimeStop on 08600 10111.
Alternatively, members of the public can send information via the MySAPS app, and all received information will be treated as confidential. Callers may opt to remain anonymous.
