Police Refuse To Comment On Nature Of Wednesday Robbery

What had been one of the biggest successes for the Johannesburg police department, has now turned into one of its biggest blunders, as millions of dollars the department had recovered following a daring airplane robbery in March... were stolen again this week, this time right out of a police safe.

South Africa's Star newspaper reports sources within the police agency have confirmed $13 million of the more than $16 million recovered by police after a quick investigation of the airplane robbery -- in which a group of heavily armed thieves held up a South African Airways 747 on the ramp at Johannesburg International -- resulted in 13 arrests.

Local media report that thieves drilled through the door of a large walk-in safe and evidence locker at the North Rand Serious and Violent Crimes Unit in Benoni Wednesday night, and absconded with the loot. Police have confirmed the robbery, but so far haven't confirmed what was stolen.

"We are following up on certain information that may lead to early arrests," police superintendent Eugene Opperman said, adding the sources cited by the Star "don't have all their facts right" regarding the money.

Police are also reportedly checking the backgrounds of all who had contacted with the money, including members of a firm the agency had contracted with to match serial numbers on the stolen loot.

As Aero-News reported, on March 25 a gang of 24 persons armed with AK-47s held up security guards watching over the SAA 747, and made off with bags stuffed with more than $16 million in US dollars.

Four days after the robbery, however, two of the gang members were apprehended as they were trying to enter Zimbabwe. More arrests followed... and while 13 of the alleged robbers have since been caught, another 11 are still on the run.

FMI: www.joburg.org.za/metro_police/police_faq.stm