Eyewitness News: 'Botched heist was not an inside job'

Theo Nkonki | 26 November 2012
JOHANNESBURG - Protea Coin security said on Sunday it has ruled out a possibility that a botched heist at its Robertsville depot was an inside job.

The company received information about the robbery and gave it to police who staked out the depot on Saturday night.

When 16 armed men arrived at the depot and rammed one of their vehicles into the gates, police pounced.

A shootout ensued and seven gang members were killed and nine were wounded.

The dramatic shooting was evident at the scene with bodies of robbers scattered around the entrance of the depot.

The scene of the bloody shootout was also littered with bullet cases of different sizes.

Protea Coin's Val de Waal said the work was carried out by an organised crime ring.

The Hawks’ Paul Ramaloko said six of the men were still in hospital under police guard.

He confirmed that authorities were not searching for any more suspects.

“We are convinced that we managed to get the crew and its ring leaders.”

Three suspects who have recovered from their injuries will appear in the Roodepoort Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Gauteng police said the botched heist would send a strong message to other criminals ahead of the festive season.

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