6 held for diamond heist

Johannesburg - Six people have been arrested following the theft of three diamonds from a mine near Prieska, Northern Cape, the Hawks said on Tuesday.

A group of about 16 people approached the driver of a mine truck on duty at the diamond mine near the town on Monday, police spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said.

They pointed a firearm at him, forced him out of the truck, assaulted him and tied him up.

"During the ordeal, the manager of the mine arrived in a company vehicle and he met the same fate as the truck driver.

"The robbers, who were now in control of two mine vehicles, drove to the mine and came across a driver of a front loader and crashed the truck into the front loader."

One of the men fired a shot at the front loader's battery after the driver tried to drive off, and then tried to shoot at the driver's head, but missed, said Mulaudzi.

Once inside the mine building, the men found a black safe, which they blasted open.

"They took three diamonds, of which the value has not yet been established. The search for the diamonds and other suspects continues," Mulaudzi said.

The six, who were arrested on Monday and Tuesday, are expected to appear in the Prieska Magistrate's Court soon.

Aged between 27 and 50, they face charges of assault, attempted murder, and business robbery.