Gunmen threatened guards
2008-05-29 14:26
Durban - Gunmen who opened fire on a Coin Security van in KwaZulu-Natal's Port Dunford area had threatened to set the occupants alight, police said.
Three security guards were injured in the cash heist on Thursday morning at the Port Dunford bridge on the N2 freeway outside Empangeni.
Ezakhawini police station commissioner Director Marie WilFon said the gunmen escaped with about R1.5m in cash.
She said four occupants in a white Ford Bantum bakkie - with GP registration plates - blocked the security van on the freeway and then opened fire on it. The van came to a halt but when guards refused to open the doors, they were threatened.
One of the robbers took two five litre containers of petrol.... and poured it on the road near the Coin Security vehicle and threatened to burn the vehicle if they do not open," said Mngomezulu.
One of the guards opened the door and the gunmen took several bags and two firearms.
Wilfon said three guards were assaulted.
Joseph Kruger, spokesperson for Mounties Ambulance Service, said paramedics treated two security guards at the scene.
"One guard sustained a cut on the head after being hit with a gun and another guard had petrol thrown in his eyes," said Kruger.
The guards told paramedics that the gunmen had attempted to set them alight.
Two passing vehicles were shot at but no injuries were reported.
A gold Toyota Corolla was also involved in the heist.
"The occupants of that car were not involved in the actual shooting, but at this stage, we believe it was a back-up getaway vehicle in case something went wrong with the bakkie," Wilfon said.
The gang fled towards Empangeni after the heist.
- SAPA