The Security and Protection Services Association of South Africa (SPPSA) has offered a R200 000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of those responsible for a deadly cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery in Mamelodi East, Pretoria.
The organisation strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a violent and reckless incident that resulted in the deaths of two security officers.
Another security officer was seriously injured and remains in hospital, according to SPPSA.
The robbery reportedly took place on Monday when a heavily armed group intercepted an armoured cash-in-transit vehicle.
The suspects allegedly used high-calibre firearms and explosives to gain access to the vehicle before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.
SPPSA founder and president Sello Mashula said the organisation was deeply concerned by the level of violence used during the attack.
“Such acts of extreme violence show a complete disdain for human life and the rule of law,” Mashula said.
He said SPPSA would provide a R200 000 reward for information that could assist police in apprehending the suspects and securing successful prosecutions.
Members of the public with information have been urged to provide it directly to the police.
A multidisciplinary task team has been activated to investigate the robbery and track down those responsible.
Mashula said the incident highlighted concerns about the increasingly military-style tactics used by CIT robbery syndicates.
“We strongly condemn the increasing military-grade tactics used by syndicates, including the use of commercial explosives to blow open armoured vehicles, high-calibre assault rifles, and reckless shootouts in public spaces,” he said.
CIT robberies remain a major security concern in South Africa, with attacks often placing security personnel, motorists, pedestrians and other members of the public at risk.
SPPSA also warned members of the community against gathering at robbery scenes to collect cash scattered during attacks.
Mashula said the practice was not only illegal but could also expose members of the public to serious danger.
“This practice is a criminal offence, constitutes theft, and gravely risks lives due to unexploded devices and volatile crime scene dynamics,” he said.
The organisation’s warning comes after reports that a community member allegedly went to the Mamelodi crime scene and took a rifle that had been left behind.
Police have since arrested the alleged suspect.
SPPSA welcomed the arrest and said the individual would have to face the full might of the law.
Mashula said members of the public should avoid interfering with crime scenes and should instead assist law enforcement by providing information that could help identify and arrest suspects.
“We cannot condone such acts in Tshwane,” he said.
The organisation called on communities to cooperate with investigators and refrain from taking matters into their own hands.
The circumstances surrounding the robbery, including the identities of the suspects and the amount of money taken, remain subject to the police investigation.
The multidisciplinary task team is expected to continue working to identify and apprehend the alleged robbers.
SPPSA said the R200 000 reward was intended to encourage members of the public with credible information to come forward and assist investigators.
All information should be directed to the South African Police Service.
