1977 Krugersdorp bank robbery

On the weekend of 30 April 1977 – 1 May 1977 a bank robbery took place at the Standard Bank in Krugersdorp, South Africa. The robbers gained access to the bank vault by digging a tunnel underneath the building. Over R 400,000 (equivalent to over R 19.5 million in 2018) was stolen in the robbery. To this day, the case remains unsolved and no arrests were made.^[1]

Modus Operandi[]

The empty shop from which the tunnel started was rented by Mr Nightingale. Nightingale’s reason for renting the shop was to utilise it as a photo studio. Investigation afterwards showed that it was a false name, and so was the residential address provided to the owner of the shop. The address was an address in Linden Johannesburg but the person staying there was cleared by the police as not involved. The windows of the shop were covered with newspaper.^[2]

The robbery[]

The tunnel was 35 metres (115 ft) long and passed 4 shops. The soil taken from the tunnel was emptied into 200 kg (440 lb) bags and the perpertrators had installed wooden poles to stabilise the tunnel and prevent it from collapsing. Once inside the bank, the robbers broke a hole in the brick wall and opened the safe using an oxyacetylene torch. During the investigation,evidence was found to suggest that food was prepared inside the safe. The band had turned off its trembler alarms due to a store nearby using compressors. The robbery was only discovered the following Monday once the bank opened.^[3]

Stolen goods[]

The robbers took, cash, travellers’ cheques and jewellery in safety deposit boxes.^[4] The Saturday Star newspaper, in a 2013 retrospective article, stated that it was believed that the robbery actually netted approximately R 1 million (equivalent to R 49 million in 2018).^[5]

Investigations afterwards[]

Brigadier JF Roos from Pretoria was in charge of the investigation. Identikits of the robbers were drawn up by witnesses who said they saw the men on the weekend wearing blue overalls.^[6]

Outcome[]

No verifiable leads were ever produced, no arrests were made, and no verifiable conclusion(s) were ever made. It remains unresolved.

References[]

^ Mokati, N (18 May 2013). "A world of brazen heists executed by skilful rascals". Saturday Star. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
^ Viljoen, J (2 April 2018). "41 years ago this Easter, a Krugersdorp bank robbery shook the country". Retrieved 26 April 2018.
^ "Misdaad, polisiediens en regspleging (Translated: Crime, police and the Law)" (PDF). Retrieved 26 April 2018.
^ Newspaper: The Citizen, 3 May 1977, page 2, Author: Epstein, D and Mcintyre, G
^ "A world of brazen heists executed by skilful rascals" https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/saturday-star/20130518/281904475700399
^ Newspaper : The Rand Daily Mail, 3 May 1977, page 3, Author: Rees, M

[1] Mokati, N (18 May 2013). "A world of brazen heists executed by skilful rascals". Saturday Star. Retrieved 26 April 2018.

[2] Viljoen, J (2 April 2018). "41 years ago this Easter, a Krugersdorp bank robbery shook the country". Retrieved 26 April 2018.

[3] "Misdaad, polisiediens en regspleging (Translated: Crime, police and the Law)" (PDF). Retrieved 26 April 2018.

[4] Newspaper: The Citizen, 3 May 1977, page 2, Author: Epstein, D and Mcintyre, G

[5] "A world of brazen heists executed by skilful rascals" https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/saturday-star/20130518/281904475700399

[6] Newspaper : The Rand Daily Mail, 3 May 1977, page 3, Author: Rees, M

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