Another cigarette truck was robbed in East London yesterday – just a day after three trucks were robbed in East London and Transkei on Thursday.
This brings the number of British American Tobacco (BAT) truck robberies this week to 10.
The latest robbery happened in Lower Inverleith Terrace around 11am yesterday when the truck was on a delivery run in Quigney.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mtati Tana said police were searching for two armed suspects who fled in a small, white vehicle.
“We were called by the driver of the truck and luckily no one was injured this time,” said Tana yesterday.
He said at this stage it was unclear whether or not the latest robbery was linked to the previous attacks.
“We have not established that at this stage, because even though the method is similar, the getaway vehicles are not the same,” he said.
The Daily Dispatch reported on two other trucks which were hit earlier this week, one in East London, the other in Mdantsane.
Police now believe a syndicate is behind the spate of robberies.
BAT’s communications manager Cindy-Lee Maneveld confirmed the armed robbery yesterday.
“As a leading member of the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry in the country, BAT South Africa is, from time to time, affected by criminal activity,” said Maneveld.
She said the safety of their employees was their priority.
“We have employed a reputable private security company to provide support for all our employees in the field.
“As BAT SA, we cannot disclose information relating to the incident or the stock lost as these types of incidents are currently under investigation.
“But we continue to cooperate with and support law enforcement in bringing guilty parties to book,” she said.
The biggest hit to date was in Transkei where an estimated at R760000 worth of stock was stolen.
— ziphon@dispatch.co.za
10th cig van hijack in week
This brings the number of British American Tobacco (BAT) truck robberies this week to 10.
The latest robbery happened in Lower Inverleith Terrace around 11am yesterday when the truck was on a delivery run in Quigney.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mtati Tana said police were searching for two armed suspects who fled in a small, white vehicle.
“We were called by the driver of the truck and luckily no one was injured this time,” said Tana yesterday.
He said at this stage it was unclear whether or not the latest robbery was linked to the previous attacks.
“We have not established that at this stage, because even though the method is similar, the getaway vehicles are not the same,” he said.
The Daily Dispatch reported on two other trucks which were hit earlier this week, one in East London, the other in Mdantsane.
Police now believe a syndicate is behind the spate of robberies.
BAT’s communications manager Cindy-Lee Maneveld confirmed the armed robbery yesterday.
“As a leading member of the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry in the country, BAT South Africa is, from time to time, affected by criminal activity,” said Maneveld.
She said the safety of their employees was their priority.
“We have employed a reputable private security company to provide support for all our employees in the field.
“As BAT SA, we cannot disclose information relating to the incident or the stock lost as these types of incidents are currently under investigation.
“But we continue to cooperate with and support law enforcement in bringing guilty parties to book,” she said.
The biggest hit to date was in Transkei where an estimated at R760000 worth of stock was stolen.
— ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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