FIVE members of a cash-heist gang were arrested barely an hour after they attacked two security guards - killing one of them - and fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

FIVE members of a cash-heist gang were arrested barely an hour after they attacked two security guards - killing one of them - and fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

Limpopo police spokesperson Superintendent Mohale Ramatseba said the attack took place yesterday morning in Lulekani, near Phalaborwa in Limpopo.

Ramatseba said the security guards from MBA Security were collecting cash from the Akanani shopping complex when they were ambushed while returning to their security vehicle.

He said the suspects randomly opened fire on the guards and that the guards returned fire.

He said the shootout, which resembled "a Hollywood gangster movie", ended with one security guard being shot in the chest and a gang member dying on the crime scene.

The other suspects then immediately made their getaway.

"Police, following up on information, surrounded an abandoned house and overpowered them," he said.

"Five suspects were arrested and a firearm, cash and the vehicle in which they fled were all recovered."

He said some of the suspects had already been linked to another attack at the weekend when a Phalaborwa café owner was robbed.

Those arrested will appear in the Lulekani magistrate's court this week on charges of murder and armed robbery.