8 guards wounded in heist

2007-08-06 12:24

Johannesburg - Eight security guards were injured in a cash-in-transit heist on the N12 highway near the Kraft road offramp in Germiston on Monday, said paramedics.

ER 24 spokesperson Riana Beech said a BMW rammed a security vehicle which had been escorting a Coin security van at about 08:30.

"The BMW crashed into the security vehicle and an unknown number of gunmen got out of the BMW and opened fire at both vehicles," she said.

The driver of the Coin vehicle was wounded in the neck.

"He was taken to the Glynwood Hospital in a serious condition," said Beech.

Seven other security guards, two who had been travelling with the driver who was wounded, and four who had been in the other vehicle, were taken to hospital in a stable condition.

East Rand police spokesperson Jethro Mtshali said the robbers escaped in a Mazda and a Mercedes-Benz. There were unconfirmed reports that they had been found abandoned in the Elandsfontein area.

The BMW which was used to ram the security vehicle was left at the scene.

Mtshali could also not confirm whether or not any money had been taken.

- SAPA