FREE STATE. – Two quick-service banks were blown up early Friday morning in the central business district of Phuthaditjhaba, formerly known as Witsieshoek. A security guard was shot during the incident and approximately eleven suspects fled the scene with an unknown sum of money.
According to the South African Police Service, the incident took place at around 01:20. The security guard was in a vehicle recording odometer readings when two armed suspects confronted him and shot him in the hip and arm.
They then used explosives to blow up two quick-service banks. Approximately eleven suspects fled the scene according to police with two bags that allegedly contained money.
The injured security guard was taken to hospital for medical treatment. His firearm was allegedly also stolen during the incident.
The explosions also caused damage to the sliding door of a nearby funeral undertaking.
Phuthaditjhaba's serious and violent crime unit is investigating cases of attempted murder, intentional property damage and theft of a firearm. Police appeal to the community to come forward with information that could lead to the suspects' arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information can contact the unit on 082 332 3418 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Information can also be provided via the MySAPS application.
Source: SAPD
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
