Mthatha police requesting community assistance in tracking down 4 bank robbery suspects

Mthatha police are looking for information that may lead to the arrest of about four unknown gunmen that opened a roller door using a hard object to gain entrance to a local bank in Libode yesterday at about 23h45.

It is alleged that the balaclava clad suspects arrived at the bank armed with rifles and fired some shots to a security guard who managed to flee and raised alarm to police. When police arrived at the scene, the suspects already fled the scene. During investigation at the scene, it was discovered that the suspects tried to open the bank's safes by bombing and by breaking its door using a hammer but could not succeed in getting the money. It is also alleged that when the suspects fled from the scene, they saw a security vehicle which was visiting the complex and hijacked it. The vehicle was later found abandoned.  It is further alleged that when fleeing they met with a 39-year-old man who was with his passenger in a white Polo TSI who alleged that he and his passenger were attacked and shot at by these suspects and were later taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Cases of house breaking with intent to steal, malicious damage to property, attempted murder and carjacking were opened for investigation.

We request anyone with information to contact Detective Captain Zwakala on 0730833100 or may contact our Crime Stop Line on 0860010111 and all the information will be treated with confidentiality.