KEY POINTS
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The CIT heist near KwaMashu highlights major surveillance and response gaps on South Africa’s highways, where criminals exploit under-policed corridors.
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Heavily armed syndicates now use military tactics, explosives, and highway blind spots to launch sophisticated attacks with minimal resistance.
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Experts and civil groups urge urgent upgrades to highway surveillance infrastructure and stronger coordination between security firms and police.
Friday’s violent cash-in-transit (CIT) heist on the N2 highway near KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, has reignited urgent questions about the effectiveness of South Africa’s highway surveillance systems, security protocols, and law enforcement response times.
While the brazen heist involved the bombing of an armored cash vehicle by heavily armed suspects, experts say the real issue lies deeper: South Africa’s critical infrastructure remains dangerously exposed.
IOL reports that the midday assault involved at least 12 assailants, who used explosives to destroy a cash van before making off with an undisclosed sum of money.
The dramatic scene brought traffic to a halt and left the highway littered with the wreckage of the armored vehicle. Emergency services quickly transported injured security guards to nearby hospitals.
“The southbound carriage of the N2 near KwaMashu turned into a war zone,” said Kyle van Reenen, spokesperson for private security firm Ensure Security. “Explosives were used, and the damage was catastrophic. These were not petty criminals. This was a militarised operation.”
Armed heist moves from inner cities to national roads
While CIT heists are tragically common in urban settings, the migration of such incidents to national highways underscores the changing tactics of organized crime in South Africa. Criminal syndicates are now exploiting surveillance blind spots on long stretches of road, often out of reach of law enforcement’s immediate response capabilities.
According to data from the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), there has been a noticeable shift in CIT attacks from densely populated areas to transport corridors. “Criminals are targeting vans on highways where there is less chance of quick police backup and fewer witnesses,” said SABRIC’s lead analyst, Thandeka Mbele.
Despite the presence of speed cameras and tollbooth checkpoints, large portions of the N2—particularly those running through less urbanised areas—lack high-definition CCTV coverage or automated license plate recognition systems. These gaps offer syndicates the perfect opportunity to intercept cash vans with minimal risk of immediate pursuit.
Security consultant Reggie Mthembu explains: “South Africa’s national highways are essentially under-policed. Criminals know where the blind spots are and often use decoys, hijacked vehicles, or disguised convoys to trap and disable security vehicles. In many cases, they scout for weeks.”
Adding to the concern is the use of military-grade explosives in these robberies. While police have previously confirmed the use of commercial-grade blasting equipment in similar attacks, the frequency and intensity of recent bombings suggest a higher level of operational sophistication.
“These are not isolated amateurs. These groups plan their logistics with precision,” said Mthembu. “From lookouts and remote-controlled detonation to getaway drivers and weapons handlers, it’s a full production.”
In Friday’s case, authorities believe the van was tailed for several kilometres before being intercepted. The suspects blocked both lanes of traffic before executing the attack and disappeared before police could respond. Investigations are ongoing, and KwaZulu-Natal authorities have yet to confirm whether any suspects have been identified or apprehended.
Meanwhile, the affected road was shut down for hours, disrupting traffic flow and highlighting the broader implications of CIT violence—not just on financial institutions, but also on transport safety, economic activity, and public confidence.
Civil society groups have long urged the government to invest in smart highway surveillance and deploy more mobile police units across major routes. They also want updated protocols between private security firms and the SAPS to ensure real-time data sharing and coordinated response.
“Until the state treats CIT robberies as threats to national security, not just economic crimes, these attacks will continue to escalate,” said Lerato Mokoena of the National Crime Prevention Trust.
With over 150 CIT incidents reported nationwide so far in 2025, and a growing trend of high-impact highway ambushes, Friday’s KwaMashu bombing is not just another statistic—it’s a wake-up call.
