KEY POINTS
- Heavily armed suspects used explosives and firearms to rob a CIT vehicle.
- Two security officers were injured and transported for medical care.
- Authorities have recorded 29 CIT robberies in the last quarter.
A group of heavily armed suspects ambushed a cash-in-transit (CIT) vehicle in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday afternoon, using firearms and explosives to access the cash.
The dramatic heist took place on the R102 highway between Mandeni and Gingindlovu, leaving two security officers injured.
According to IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyrick, the suspects opened fire on a CIT vehicle and its escort, forcing the escort vehicle off the road before detonating explosives to gain access to the cash inside the main vehicle.
The suspects managed to escape with an undisclosed amount of money and stolen firearms, disappearing before law enforcement could intervene.
Authorities have since closed off the R102 for investigations, and a search for the armed gang is underway.
Security officers sustained injuries in the attack
While the security guards in the CIT vehicle were unharmed, two officers from the escort vehicle sustained minor injuries and were treated at a nearby medical facility.
According to IOL, the IPSS Medical Rescue team transported the injured officers for further care.
Law enforcement agencies have yet to confirm how many suspects were involved in the attack, but initial reports suggest a well-organized operation with multiple gunmen using high-powered weapons.
CIT robberies remain a major concern in South Africa
The KwaZulu-Natal heist occurred just days after Police Minister Senzo Mchunu released the third-quarter crime statistics for October to December 2024. The report revealed 29 reported CIT robberies nationwide during that period.
The number of CIT heists decreased from 46 incidents in the same period in 2023. However, statistics show that KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga were the only provinces where the numbers increased.
Of the 29 CIT robberies recorded, 22 took place on highways. Seven involved cross-pavement robberies, where criminals targeted security guards transporting cash between businesses and security vehicles.
Authorities have urged security companies to increase vigilance. They have also called on the public to report suspicious activity that could help track down the suspects behind this latest attack.
