Robust partnerships lead to decline in cash-in-transit robberies
According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric), a five per cent decrease in cash-in-transit robberies this year has been attributed to the collaboration of different stakeholders.
DESPITE fears that cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies may be on the increase, there has in fact been a 5 per cent decrease in incidents for 2020 when compared to 1 January to 12 August in 2019, said SABRIC, the South African Banking Risk Information Centre.
On behalf of the banking industry, SABRIC noted the resurgence of cash-in-transit robberies since the easing of lockdown restrictions in June this year.
SABRIC CEO, Nischal Mewalall said this can be attributed to robust partnerships between the public, the cash-in-transit companies, government and law enforcement.
Mewalall said never before has a collaboration been more essential.
“These robberies have the potential to severely worsen our economy which is already under severe pressure due to Covid-19 and we will continue to follow this synergistic, sustainable and collaborative model,” he said.
In addition to collaborating with SABRIC, the CIT industry has launched the Cash-in-Transit Association of South Africa (CITASA), which will further co-ordinate efforts to counter these violent attacks. CITASA will initially comprise the cash-in-transit companies SBV, G4S and Fidelity Cash Solutions but going forward, other organisations with similar strategic objectives will also be eligible to participate.
“Although the formation of CITASA is still in the process of being finalised, we are confident that this collaboration will significantly reduce these violent attacks, the risks to guards and bring criminals to book,” said CITASA spokesman, Grant Clark.
He elaborated that CITASA will continue to collaborate with SABRIC to leverage its collaborative structures, strategic partnerships and digital technology platforms which will provide critical information and vital statistics to ensure that investigations are supported and that perpetrators are successfully prosecuted.
Mewalall added that the CIT industry must be commended for its pro-active approach and SABRIC remains fully committed to supporting all initiatives to enable the fight against this scourge.
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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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