Gunshots and explosions could be heard by people who stopped their cars close to a cash-in-transit heist near the Winterton / Bergville road intersection in KZN last night.

Northern Natal News reports that at least one person was injured during the heist.

He was passing the scene when he was shot.

Another motorist who approached the scene, farmer Johan Buys, says he was forced to make a hasty retreat as the robbery literally unfolded in front of him. He reported to fellow farmers that he had been shot at.

Buys was coming into Ladysmith from the Winterton area when he spotted what he thought was an accident.

“As I came over the hill, I saw lights at the side of the road, and I assumed it was an accident ahead,” explains Buys.

It was only when he got closer that he realised what was happening.

“The lights of my vehicle illuminated the scene, and I could see the cash-in-transit van at the side of the road.

“Two gunmen suddenly pointed their firearms at me,” says a still shocked Buys.

It was then that they opened fire. He veered off the road, swerving his vehicle as he made a U-turn, before speeding away back the way he had come.

“I immediately alerted the farmers’ association,” he says. “I cannot be sure they actually fired at me, but they definitely sent a lot of rounds in my direction.”

Members of the local Farm Watch responded to the robbery after receiving reports from the farmer.

A bakkie was left abandoned at the side of the road. Its driver, who was shot by the robbers, was taken to hospital by people who live in the area.

Farmers living nearby say the sound of gunfire could be heard kilometres away, followed by a loud explosion, believed to be dynamite.

The mangled wreckage of the cash-in-transit van could be seen by bystanders, as they approached, but they were chased away by armed guards.

It is believed that the large group of heavily armed robbers made their escape along a dirt road leading towards Roosboom.

Police and emergency services responded to the scene shortly afterwards.

According to ER24’s Ziaad Warasally, his ambulance service was first on scene, and they treated several guards for shock.

Within an hour, there were dozens of police vehicles securing the area, while other police vehicles sped off in the direction of Roosboom in an attempt to track down the escaping gunmen.