KEY POINTS
- Armed robbers used explosives in a CIT heist in KwaMashu.
- The KwaMashu incident is the latest in a string of KZN heists.
- Police urge the public to assist with information on the attack.
A dramatic cash-in-transit (CIT) heist shook the community of KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday, leaving residents and authorities on high alert.
The attack, which took place on Nyala Road shortly after 2 p.m., involved armed robbers who made off with an undisclosed amount of cash after targeting a security vehicle.
According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), emergency calls flooded in as the incident unfolded. When officers arrived, they found South African Police Service (SAPS) personnel already investigating the scene.
Witnesses reported hearing three loud explosions, believed to be caused by explosives used during the heist. The blast left the CIT vehicle heavily damaged, with debris scattered across the road.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu confirmed the incident but noted that investigations were still ongoing. “There were no fatalities, and we are working to gather more information about the suspects and the exact sequence of events,” Ndlovu said.
KwaMashu CIT heist raises alarm among KZN residents
The KwaMashu incident is the latest in a string of CIT heists in KwaZulu-Natal, raising serious concerns about security in the province.
Earlier this month, another heist occurred on the N2 near Mtubatuba, where two cash vehicles were forcibly stopped.
According to KZN Private Ambulance Services, one of the vehicles was bombed while multiple gunshots were fired. Spokesperson Craig Botha said the suspects failed to breach the second vehicle.
“One person was treated at the scene for minor injuries,” Botha confirmed.
In February, the N2 highway near the NPC Cement Factory also witnessed a brazen CIT attack during peak traffic hours.
Dramatic footage of robbers blowing up the van quickly went viral on social media. The robbers later fled through Chatsworth, opening fire on a taxi and tragically killing a woman.
That afternoon, one suspect allegedly linked to the heist was killed in a shoot-out with police in Glenwood, Durban, while the stolen cash was later discovered abandoned in a vehicle.
Police vow to strengthen security amid growing threats
The rise in violent CIT heist incidents prompts security forces to intensify their efforts against these attacks. Police urge citizens to assist investigations aimed at capturing those responsible for thefts.
According to IOL, Captain Ndlovu assured residents that SAPS is intensifying its efforts to track down those involved in the KwaMashu heist.
“Investigations are ongoing, and we urge anyone with information to come forward,” she said.
Meanwhile, RUSA emphasized citizen awareness by asking people to inform security authorities about strange occurrences they notice.
The KwaMashu heist serves as a warning about escalating criminal threats that security firms, along with law enforcement, confront throughout South Africa.
As authorities continue their investigation, questions remain about how to better secure cash transport routes and prevent further tragedies.
