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By Sisonke Mlamla 
2h ago
Cape Town – Police launched a manhunt for armed suspects after a security guard waiting in a cash transit vehicle at a supermarket Thursday morning was shot and killed.
SAPS spokesman Brigadier Novela Potelwa said unknown suspects shot and killed a security guard waiting in a cash transport vehicle at a supermarket in Welgelegen.
Potelwa said the guard left after being shot and crashed into a nearby house, while another guard was injured at the store entrance during the robbery.
She said a substantial amount of cash was taken when the suspects fled in a black Corsa vehicle, which was stolen in Khayelitsha in June 2020, and a white VW Golf GTI.
“The incident occurred when the guards were going to get cash from the store. The police are investigating cases of murder, attempted murder and business robbery,” Potelwa said.
Forty-five minutes later, unknown suspects stole two firearms and a substantial amount of cash from Fidelity security guards at Fourways Intersection, Thembalethu Mall in George.
National police spokeswoman Colonel Brenda Muridili said the incident occurred around 7:30 this morning.
“The suspects fled in a brown Isuzu bakkie,” Muridili said.
Hawks detectives are investigating the case.
Fidelity Services Group CEO Wahl Bartmann said they received a tip that their Fidelity Cash Solutions team had been attacked by armed suspects when they were busy loading an ATM.
Bartmann said the Fidelity officer was detained at gunpoint and escorted back to his vehicle, where they managed to force the driver out of the car, but still held the crew member hostage.
“The suspects then forced our crew member to open the safe. They were able to flee the scene in a black double cab with an undisclosed amount of cash.
“Fortunately, there was no loss of life or serious injuries.
“We are very concerned about the increase in incidents. We definitely saw a decline in the first half of the year, but this is changing rapidly. Currently there have been no arrests, but we are working closely with SAPS and our specialized investigation teams, ”said Bartmann.
Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz condemned the two reported incidents in the strongest terms.
“Violence and robbery have absolutely no place in our society.”
Fritz said annual and quarterly crime statistics point to declines in cash thefts in transit and therefore it was concerning to see the two attacks pick up again.
“We must aim to become a cashless society in efforts to reduce related crime,” Fritz said.
Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stop at 0860010111 or via MySAPSApp.
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