KEY POINTS
-
A failed CIT heist in Tokoza resulted in a suspect losing his leg due to a premature explosion while attempting to bomb a cash van.
-
Ten suspects fled the scene in three vehicles, leaving behind a silver BMW used in the attack; no money was stolen.
-
Police are investigating the incident and working with medical facilities to trace the injured suspect, while calls grow for a shift toward a cashless society to curb such crimes.
A suspected armed robber lost his leg in a botched cash-in-transit (CIT) heist in Tokoza, Ekurhuleni, early Tuesday morning, after a group of ten men allegedly attempted to bomb a cash van but failed to get away with any money.
According to Gauteng police, the gang targeted a cash delivery vehicle at the corner of Khumalo and Murubisi Streets in Phola Park Extension 5.
According to Sowetanlive, the suspects reportedly used a silver BMW to ram into the cash van in an attempt to halt it before detonating explosives to gain access to the vehicle’s contents.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that one suspect suffered a severe injury and lost a leg during the attempted bombing,” said police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko.
Explosives backfire during robbery heist
Sibeko added that although the suspects deployed explosives, no money was taken from the van. “Police are investigating an armed robbery and attempted murder. The suspects fled in three vehicles after leaving the BMW used in the ramming behind,” she said.
The incident has once again thrown a spotlight on the persistent threat of CIT heists in South Africa, where criminals have increasingly used military-style tactics and explosives in an effort to loot cash vans.
These heists not only endanger security personnel but also put the public at serious risk.
Tuesday’s attempted robbery bore hallmarks of meticulous planning but also showed the recklessness often associated with such violent crimes. Police sources suggest the explosives may have detonated prematurely or misfired, leading to the serious injury of one suspect.
No arrests had been made by the time of publication, but investigations are ongoing. Authorities are hopeful that the abandoned BMW and forensic evidence from the scene could lead to the apprehension of the suspects.
The injured suspect reportedly fled with the group despite the traumatic injury, raising questions about how far criminals will go and the level of medical aid possibly provided by co-conspirators.
Police are working with hospitals and clinics in surrounding areas to trace anyone who may have sought emergency treatment matching the description of the injuries sustained.
This incident comes amid growing calls from law enforcement and government leaders for the country to transition toward a more cashless economy.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi recently commented on the need to reduce the risks faced by cash handlers. “Moving toward a cashless society will go a long way in preventing crimes like CIT heists and kidnappings,” he said last month.
CIT robberies have plagued South African provinces for years, with heavily armed gangs often targeting vehicles in transit or at collection points. In many cases, guards are injured or killed, and communities are left in fear. While Tuesday’s incident ended without fatalities, it underscores the ongoing danger of such crimes.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the Tokoza incident to come forward. The SAPS has reassured the public that all leads are being pursued, and that specialized units have been activated to track down the culprits.
“Our teams are analysing evidence from the scene and working around the clock to ensure arrests are made,” said Captain Sibeko. “We cannot allow communities to be terrorised by heavily armed criminal gangs.”
