Durban - Ermelo High School staff were travelling back to Ermelo in a Volkswagen Crafter after attending an athletics meeting at Midstream College in Centurion, when rocks placed on the N4 damaged the vehicle’s tyre and the driver was forced to stop.
The school’s governing body chairman, Gerhardus Jansen van Rensburg spoke to The Mercury about the events that transpired on February 11. He said the driver was forced to pull over just before 11pm about 30 kilometres from Witbank when the vehicle hit rocks.
He said there were four teachers, three women and a man, as well as the driver in the vehicle. No pupils were involved in the incident.
Jansen van Rensburg said after the Crafter drove over rocks placed on the highway, the driver stopped in the emergency lane to replace the tyre.
Fifteen minutes later, he said three robbers appeared, two armed with handguns and the third with a knife.
“The robbers asked the driver of the vehicle and the male staff member to lie on the ground next to the vehicle,” he said.
He said the male staff were being monitored while the suspects robbed the women staff members inside the van.
“The bus driver was punched in the face during the skirmish with the robbers. He sustained minor injuries to his chin and jaw. Two shots were fired, but no serious injuries were sustained by any staff member involved,” he said.
Jansen van Rensburg, said cellphones, cash, jewellery and a watch were among the items stolen.
He said the school was aware that footage of the incident had been leaked and was on social media.
“To protect the identity of the persons concerned and the image of our school, Ermelo High School strongly opposes the distribution of any footage regarding the incident,” he said.
He added that the school was also aware of reports that contained false, misleading and unverified facts, and appealed to the public not to share inaccurate information.
Jansen van Rensburg said any inquiries regarding the incident could be directed to the school.
“Ermelo High School would like to thank everyone who assisted our staff for their brave and prompt response. In particular, we would like to thank Mr Norman Victor, Mr Rico Lohmann, ACSU, R&LU Security, as well as members of the Witbank SAPS,” he said.
In the video circulating on social media, a suspect who enters the van is heard saying “sit down, don't move…where is the money…give me your phone”, while another suspect is heard outside shouting “I’ll stab you.”
THE MERCURY