Bloemfontein - Police have arrested 12 people allegedly involved in a foiled cash-in-transit heist near Virginia in the Free State, Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said on Friday.
“Five robbers were killed in a shoot-out with police members,” he said.
Six of the 12 alleged robbers arrested were wounded in the exchange of gunfire with police.
They are being treated at a hospital in the area.
“Two vehicles of the Hawks and task force members were riddled with bullet holes,” said Ramaloko.
The robbers used five vehicles in the attempted heist.
Ramaloko said investigators picked up 11 rifles on the crime scene, including an AK-47 rifle.
He said the driver of the Protea Coin van and his two assistants were injured in the incident.
Sapa