'Wild West' robbers hit casino
2005-12-07 00:02
Nelspruit - Fourteen robbers stormed the Emnotweni Casino, stealing R700 000 within a few minutes, and all that the gamblers and staff could do was to watch helplessly.
Casino manager Ig Olivier said the robbery was "very well planned", taking place with "military precision", and it was clear everybody knew exactly what to do.
It is one of the most-daring robberies in the Lowveld so far.
The casino is one of the best-guarded complexes in the area and hordes of security cameras watch every movement inside the casino.
The armed robbers hit the casino shortly before 03:00 on Tuesday.
Witnesses describe the robbery as a scene "out of the Wild West".
Robber commander wielded AK-47
The robbers, some wearing masks, stormed in through the front doors, holding up about 55 people, 30 of them guests.
According to Olivier, several shots were fired when they stormed in, but nobody was hit or injured.
One of the robbers, apparently the "commander", stood on a casino table with an AK-47 assault rifle and shouted instructions. The security tapes showed him jumping from table to table and commanding his accomplices.
Police spokesperson inspector Dawie Pretorius said the robbers rushed into the casino's parking area in a maroon double-cab bakkie, a silver Mercedes-Benz and an Iveco minibus.
Security guards at the doors were overpowered and held up while other robbers stormed in through the front door.
Shots were fired into the roof while the robbers shouted at the frightened people inside the casino to lie down.
Just before the robbery, casino staff were putting piles of money from the tables into a money trolley.
Some of the robbers jumped over the counter in the cash hall and emptied the cash-register drawers. Guests were robbed of cash and personal belongings.
Many of the robbers are recognisable
The robbers grabbed the money trolley and loaded it on to the bakkie before fleeing.
The bakkie and Mercedes were found abandoned on a farm near Kruger Park's Numbi Gate a few hours later.
Several fingerprints were found at the casino and on the vehicles.
Several bullet casings were picked up in the foyer of the casino.
The robbery was taped by the hi-tech security cameras and many of the robbers were recognisable.
It was the first robbery at the casino.
Olivier said counsellors had been called in to help shocked staff cope with their trauma. By 09:00, the casino was open for business as usual.
The robbery is a prelude to the long-awaited "robbery season" in the Lowveld.
A team was appointed in October to follow up all possible information about planned robberies.
Police also have boosted visibility, especially at banks and companies handling large amounts of cash.