Four Lowveld cash-in-transit security guards injured, one dead

One G4S security guard was killed and four others injured in two separate cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies.
The first robbery happened on the R537 near White River on July 5 at about 17:45. A group of heavily armed men in more than one vehicle opened fire on a CIT vehicle.

The driver of a G4S van sustained gunshot wounds to his upper body, while the officer accompanying him was shot in the head.
They were rushed to the nearest hospital. The driver is recovering after surgery, but the second G4S officer died on Friday.
The second attack occurred on the R40 in Marite on Saturday July 8.

Once again, the CIT van and its escort became targets of a group of suspects travelling in different cars.
They started shooting at the van. The driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in him driving into some bushes.
The armed men blasted the vehicle open and stole an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the scene.
Two security guards from the escort vehicle sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospital, where they are reported to be recovering.

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Some community members are said to have looted cash from the crime scene, too.
The managing director of G4S Cash Solutions, Amit Devir, said the company is deeply concerned about the attacks, as they are becoming increasingly violent.

He said the safety of his staff is a high priority, but that “these were no ordinary criminals.
“They are well organised, cold-blooded murderers whose indiscriminate use of weapons continues to take lives and destroy families. The country and the entire private security industry cannot afford to lose more personnel to these brutal attacks, and we are once again calling on the minister of police and law enforcement to take urgent action.”

ALSO READ: Two security guards wounded in a cash-in-transit robbery on R537 near White River

Devir, said it is essential that CIT crime be prioritised; that the CIT task team under the SAPS be capacitated as a matter of urgency.

“Our sector should work 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 concluded.
A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, confirmed that no arrests had been made in connection with either incident. The police are still investigating.

He condemned the people who had looted from the cash on the scene. He said they tampered with the crime scene, and if they are found, they will be charged.
He called on members of the public with information to come forward by calling the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or by sending information via the My SAPS app.