WELKOM – On 15 April 2022, at about 00:15, security guards were on duty guarding Welgelee Silos at Virginia when an alarm went off. One of the security guards went out to inspect the premises upon which he found that copper cables have been tampered with.

When the security guard went back to inform his colleagues, ten men with handguns entered the building. The security personnel were instructed to cooperate at gunpoint, they were tied up with their boots laces and instructed to lie down.

Two of the suspects were pointing them with handguns as they were lying on the floor. The suspects pulled copper cable from the premises and fled the scene. The security guards managed to untie themselves and found that their cellphones were also taken. Stolen copper cable to the value of R132 000 was taken by the suspects. The security personnel walked to Virginia Police Station to report the incident.

A case of business robbery was registered for further investigation. Anyone with information that can assist police in tracing and arresting the armed robbers, is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Mokone Botipe of Virginia Detective Services on 082 301 3062 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service