CIT heists on the rise as two more vans are robbed in Ehlanzeni
The cash-in-transit vans were robbed at separate locations. No one has so far been arrested for any of these attacks.
The KaNyamazane police are on the trail of the suspects who were involved in a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery near Emfuleni Park on Monday July 17 at about 09:30.
According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, an armoured vehicle transporting cash was travelling on the Legogote road.
Mohlola said a white Mercedes-Benz, reportedly carrying the suspects, collided head-on with the CIT vehicle, resulting in it overturning.
“The security guards then came under attack from a group of about 15 armed suspects, who started shooting randomly at the vehicle while instructing the occupants to open the door. The security guards eventually opened it. They were robbed of their firearms, including a rifle and a pistol. Explosives were detonated by the suspects to get to the cash in the van,” he said.
ALSO READ: Two security guards injured during cash-in-transit robbery in KaNyamazane
Mohlala added that the suspects had fled the scene in an unknown direction in two Range Rovers. The Mercedes-Benz was reportedly torched by the suspects before they fled. The KaNyamazane police were informed about the incident and arrived at the scene with other law enforcement agencies, and a case was subsequently opened.
The two security guards sustained injuries when the van overturned. They are currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital, but are in a stable condition.
ALSO READ: Four Lowveld cash-in-transit security guards injured, one dead
The police are still looking for a group of men who attacked a G4S van in 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 July 7.
Another attack occurred on the R40 in Marite on 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. No one has been arrested so far in any of the attacks.
The police call on anyone with information to call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, or send information via the My SAPS app.
