Three CIT vans hit in less than a month in Ehlanzeni

The provincial Hawks’ head, Major General Nico Gerber, has put stringent measures in place to deal with the increasing cash-in-transit (CIT) incidences in Mpumalanga.

Gerber said his unit wanted to ensure these cases are properly investigated and see the perpetrators arrested.

Three G4S CIT vans were recently robbed in Ehlanzeni in separate incidents, leaving one security guard dead and others injured.

In the latest incident, a Fidelity cash transport van was robbed in KaNyamanzane, and two more security guards were injured. According to Gerber, these incidents are violent by nature and have caused loss of life of the security officials who earn an honest income for their families.

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“I would like to appeal to the community to come forward with information, as these criminals often hide in communities during the night before and after these robberies. I must also warn the public to not enter crime scenes to remove cash, as they not only contaminate crime scenes, but unexploded explosives are still on the scene, which could be catastrophic if detonated. Anybody found looting the cash will be arrested,” he said.

Gerber also said the Hawks are engaging in talks with security companies to find ways of preventing these attacks. He ensured the public that all efforts are directed towards solving these crimes and apprehending those involved.

The managing director of G4S Cash Solutions, Amit Devir, is also calling on the police minister and law enforcement to take urgent action. He confirmed that the two guards injured during the Ehlanzeni CIT attacks had been released from hospital and are recovering well. “For G4S, ensuring the safety of its people and their well-being is a constant priority. This is especially critical, given the nature of their work. As a leading global cash management company, G4S invests significantly, on an ongoing basis, to equip its frontline personnel with all the training, resources, equipment and tactical support they require for protection.

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“The CIT industry plays a critical role in South Africa, ensuring cash is able to move freely and safely across the economy, and attacks of this nature are deeply concerning, especially as they are becoming more violent in nature. What is needed, as a matter of urgency, is a concrete action plan by law enforcement to mitigate and manage CIT crime in our country. It is essential that CIT crime be prioritised, that the CIT task team under the SAPS be capacitated as a matter of urgency and that our sector works closely with law enforcement and government to tackle this scourge together.There is currently not enough focus on arrests, prosecutions and convictions to deter these criminals, who are operating with impunity,” he urged.

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Meanwhile, G4S have opened a case with the SAPS and are working closely with law enforcement, making all evidence available to them to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.

Fidelity Cash Solutions was unavailable for comment at the time of publishing.