WATCH: Two bystanders killed during CIT heist in Ekurhuleni

Two innocent bystanders have been killed and another wounded following a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist in Putfontein on the East Rand.

It is understood a group of suspects attacked the CIT truck early on Wednesday, next to the Chief Albert Luthuli informal settlement in Ekurhuleni.

Watch the video of the CIT heist in Putfontein.

Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) spokesperson Ignatius Maphike said one of the guards was injured during the robbery.

“One Fidelity security guard was injured on the arm due to the collision. Two bystanders were shot dead by the robbers, while they were taking videos of the heist with their phones. One bystander was shot in the arm.

“One of vehicles belonging to the suspects caught fire,” Maphike said.

Maphike added that the suspects getaway vehicle was recovered about 500 meters away from the crime scene.

Investigations

South African Police Services (SAPS) spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said they are investigating the robbery.

“Members of the public are, therefore, warned to avoid Putfontein Road in Crystal Park as this is still an active crime scene. The Saps has mobilised its crime scene experts, including the Saps bomb disposal unit, to investigate while a multidisciplinary team has been dispatched to search for the armed suspects.

“Police have already recovered three getaway vehicles which include a burnt out gold BMW sedan, a silver sedan and a white Audi A1. An undisclosed amount of money has been taken,” Mathe said.

Mathe has urged anyone with information related to the crime scene to contact the police.

CIT Heists

In March, statistics from the Cash-In-Transit Association of SA (Citasa) revealed that cash-in-transit (CIT) heists increased by 19% in the first two months of 2023, compared to the same period last year.

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