By Becker Semela:
A provincial traffic cop who was travelling home after knocking off, survived death when her car was hit by hail of bullets during a cash heist at OR Tambo Road on the outskirts of Bloemfontein on Friday morning (Easter Day) just after 6 am.
Officer SPI Sefatsa who had just knocked off, met a scene near Hillside flats where the alleged robbers saw her marked vehicle while firing shots at a cash truck, they then fired her car with 11 bullets and she was hit by only one.
According to the Community Safety, Roads and Transport MEC Jabu Mbalula, one bullet hit Sefatsa’s left leg and she managed to drive away from the scene.
He said Sefatsa was quickly taken to a nearby hospital where she was in a stable condition at the time of the report. Mbalula has conveyed his sincere good wishes for a full and a speedy recovery, and also praised the paramedics for their quick reaction.
Reports said that an IZI Cash Company armoured vehicle was ambushed on the way to Reddersburg. A silver Mercedes-Benz is said to have intentionally crashed into the cash vehicle which forced it off the road and overturned into a nearby field.
“Approximately 10 to 12 heavily armed suspects in blue overalls and balaclavas, subsequently attacked and disarmed the security personnel. It is believed that three guns as well as loaded magazines were obtained at the scene of the shooting,” Mbalula said.
He said the suspects apparently fired several rounds with high-calibre guns including R5 and AK-47s, in what is otherwise an extremely coordinated and violent criminal act before they fled the scene with undisclosed amount of cash.
“This senseless violence not only puts individuals in harm’s way but also puts communities at risk. We will not let criminal elements challenge law and order in our province,” Mbalula said.
He emphasised they will not leave any stone unturned in searching for the suspects. “We are appealing to public members to assist the police with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects.
Through the joint operation of intelligence, we believe those responsible for this heinous crime will be prosecuted.
Our province will not be a safe haven for criminals,” said Mbalula. – @NewsSA_Online
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