Three men accused of carrying out a cash-in-transit heist in northern KwaZulu-Natal are expected to appear in the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The suspects, aged 35, 44 and 64, were arrested in connection with a robbery that took place on 14 March near Gluckstadt, outside Lenjani.
According to Hawks spokesperson Simphiwe Mhlongo, the gang allegedly ambushed an armoured vehicle on the R34 while it was travelling from Ulundi to Vryheid.
“They fired multiple shots at the vehicle until it came to a stop. The suspects then forced the security guards out and disarmed them of their service firearms,” Mhlongo said.
The suspects reportedly took the guards to a nearby open field before using explosives to blow up the armoured vehicle.
They fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash, along with two rifles and a 9mm pistol.
A case was opened at Gluckstadt police station, and Hawks members launched an investigation.
“Three weeks later, information was received about the whereabouts of the suspects, leading to a targeted operation,” Mhlongo said.
During the operation, the three suspects were arrested and two vehicles believed to have been used in the heist were seized.