Targeted vans in shameless robberies in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG (AP) – Criminal syndicates in South Africa have increased attacks on security vans carrying large sums of money. money, brazenly opening fire and detonating vehicles in chaotic scenes that send civilians rushing to cover themselves.

Some viewers succeed in filming urban attacks, often by day and posting images on social media, magnifying concerns in a struggling country

Authorities reinforce intelligence work and other efforts to attack heavily armed gangs, whose members seem to have specific roles: shooter, watchman, driver.

"It's almost as if everyone possesses a proper skill," said Yusuf Abramjee, a South African anti-crime activist, "These people are hitting with military precision."

They could get help from rogue police, and local media reported the possible use of stolen military weapons in some cases of theft.

75 vehicles were attacked Kalyani Pillay, CEO of the Center South African Bank Risk Information (SABRIC), said this year, compared with 31 for the same period in 2017. Just under 40% of the attacks were thwarted.Two civilians, a police officer, Five guards and nine suspects were killed in this year 's robberies and another 93 people were injured, said Pillay

robbers who stole 63% more money this year than during the same period. according to Pillay, and she refused to say how much, even if the amount is estimated at at least several million dollars.

Unions representing workers involved in money transport organized protests in major cities in June for more protection at work. "Stop bombarding our crates," reading a sign during a march in Cape Town

A parliamentary committee held a hearing on the attacks.

Meanwhile, the rate of attacks against security guards carrying For example, a company and a vehicle dropped

. This suggests that criminal organizations are looking for more vehicles on the road because they are likely to bring in more loot – and that thieves think they can make it, partly because of heavy losses. firepower. Security experts say the police, whose response was sometimes dull in the past, is more proactive.

Heist's methods have varied over the years. In 1997, thieves in Bronkhorstspruit dragged a chain of crampons on a highway to block a pickup truck and killed two guards. The hit recalls a scene from the 1995 movie "Heat" in which a gang uses a crampon band to thwart the police chase after stealing an armored car.

Today, burglar teams in South Africa can count from 10 to 15 people. blow up armored security vehicles with commercial explosives possibly diverted from the mining industry. The teams seem comfortable to move in overcrowded areas.

The video of an attack on security trucks in May in Boksburg, near Johannesburg, shows a man with a long rifle, apparently a belvedere, kneeling at an intersection. An explosion is heard and gunshots crackle. Some motorists rush to turn around to escape the scene.

A separate video of the same attack, filmed from what appears to be a car showroom at the same intersection, shows smoke rising after an explosion. Three strokes are heard.

"Oh my god, look how many of them are coming out," said a woman as suspects emerge from a car.

A third video of the consequences shows a security van and badly damaged bank notes.

During raids last week, police arrested a policewoman who allegedly stored weapons used in the Boksburg robbery, as well as her 32-year-old boyfriend. Nearly two dozen people were arrested as part of this move.

Minister of Police Bheki Cele said that more needs to be done to stop "crimes of origin". "Including car hijacking, illegal gun sales and police corruption.Security companies, meanwhile, can do more with the technology, including the dye that colors the money. "There is a robbery or a foam that automatically covers money." According to Abramjee, the anti-crime activist, it is estimated that about 200 people would be in the forefront. guard of attacks in South Africa, said a security company in response to questions from the Associated Press Press There have been 27 attacks against vans of the Fidelity Security group this year and a little under the Half were "successfully defended," according to the statement, "Four employees were killed and 55 were injured."

The company said it spent millions of dollars to modernize vehicles, increase training and take other measures against the threat

"Ma Unfortunately, the air, the modus operandi of criminals is changing too, "said Fidelity.

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