KEY POINTS
- Five armed suspects were killed in a shootout with police in KZN after allegedly planning a cash-in-transit heist.
- Authorities recovered weapons, explosives, and stolen money, with investigations pointing to ties with a broader criminal syndicate.
- Police Commissioner praised the operation, emphasising continued efforts to combat organised crime amid rising cash-in-transit incidents in South Africa.
In a high-stakes confrontation on Wednesday afternoon, five suspects were shot dead during a fierce exchange of gunfire with police in a CIT robbery at Ridgeview, near Chesterville, KwaZulu-Natal.
IOL reports that the incident unfolded after authorities received a tip-off about a planned heist targeting a G4S armoured van.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, “The suspects were heavily armed and immediately opened fire on our officers, who were forced to retaliate in self-defence.”
The shootout during the CIT Robbery lasted 20 minutes, with no police casualties reported.
Police commissioner praises officers for engaging CIT robbers
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, commended the officers for their bravery, stating, “This operation demonstrates our zero-tolerance approach towards violent crime. We will continue to dismantle these criminal networks.”
Forensic teams recovered high-calibre rifles, explosives, and stolen cash from the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest the CIT robbers were part of a larger syndicate responsible for multiple heists across the province.
Security expert Dr. Johan Burger of the Institute for Security Studies noted, “Cash-in-transit heists remain a major challenge in South Africa, often linked to organised crime. While this takedown is a victory, sustained intelligence-driven operations are crucial.”
The police have launched a manhunt for additional suspects believed to be connected to the group.
The successful operation comes amid growing concerns about cash-in-transit heists in South Africa, which have increased by 22% year-on-year according to latest crime statistics. Authorities believe this particular syndicate may have been operating for nearly two years, with connections to similar criminal networks in neighboring provinces.
Community members in the area reported hearing sustained gunfire lasting nearly 45 minutes during the confrontation. Local schools were placed on temporary lockdown as a precautionary measure. The police’s Special Task Force and National Intervention Unit were both deployed during the operation, highlighting the seriousness of the threat.
In recent months, KwaZulu-Natal has seen a spike in violent CIT robberies, with at least 12 incidents recorded since January. The recovered firearms are being traced to determine if they were used in other crimes, while ballistic tests will establish potential links to unsolved cases.
The banking industry’s CIT Association has welcomed the arrests but called for harsher sentencing for convicted robbers. Meanwhile, police have urged businesses and residents to remain vigilant as the search continues for the remaining suspects, who are considered armed and dangerous. Roadblocks have been set up across major routes in the province as part of the ongoing investigation
