Four security guards killed in separate cash-in-transit attacks in Gauteng and KZN - IOL

Scene of an attempted cash-in-transit robbery in Gauteng, where two guards were killed and another wounded.

The cash-in-transit (CIT) industry is reeling after separate cash-in-transit incidents in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal claimed the lives of four cash guards early this week.

Between January and mid-August, almost 120 CIT robberies occurred, predominantly in Gauteng (42%) and KZN (23%). 

In 32% of incidents, no cash was taken, although deaths, firearm theft, equipment losses, and vehicle hijackings still occurred.

The Cash-in-Transit Association of South Africa (Citasa) expressed outrage, with head Grant Clark noting that Gauteng and KZN remain the highest-risk areas following Monday's deadly attacks.

“These tragic incidents once again demonstrate the extreme and escalating violence directed at CIT personnel. The people who carry and protect the country’s cash are increasingly being confronted by heavily armed and organised criminal groups prepared to use extreme violence, with devastating consequences for employees, their families and communities,” Clark said. 

He said the association calls for urgent action to stop the continued targeting of CIT personnel, which cannot be viewed as ordinary criminal activity. 

In Gauteng, police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said provincial police have launched a manhunt for multiple armed suspects after an attempted CIT robbery in Extension 16, Mamelodi East. 

“It is alleged that the suspects, who were travelling in two vehicles, a white or cream Volkswagen Polo and a maroon Volkswagen Polo, attacked security guards who were transporting cash. During the incident, two security guards, aged 34 and 41, were fatally wounded. A third security guard sustained gunshot wounds and was transported to hospital for medical treatment,” Sibeko said. 

During a shootout, a police vehicle was damaged, and a suspect-abandoned Mercedes-Benz was torched, though no police were injured. Police recovered explosives from the scene, and a 21-year-old bystander was arrested for illegal firearm possession, having been found with a rifle allegedly stolen from the scene. While no cash was taken, two security company firearms were recovered. 

Police are investigating charges of murder, attempted murder, attempted robbery, and malicious damage to property as the investigation continues.

In KZN, police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police are investigating a case of CIT robbery, two counts of murder and attempted murder following an incident which occurred in the Nkunzana area. 

“Reports indicate that a cash delivery truck was travelling from Nongoma towards Pongola when it was attacked near the Nkunzana area by a group of armed suspects who were reportedly travelling in different vehicles. The suspects brought the cash delivery truck to a stop. The suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money. Two security guards died during the robbery whilst the third victim sustained gunshot wounds and was taken to hospital for medical attention,” Netshiunda said. 

KZN Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said the crew was reportedly the same crew targeted on August 6 while travelling from Pongola to Nongoma. Following the incident, statements were taken from the driver and the crew of the cash vehicle. 

“Unfortunately, on Monday afternoon, at the gate at KwaKhangelamankengane, the royal palace, they were attacked again,” Mhlongo said. 

“It seems like they asked them to get out of the vehicle so they could bomb it. The suspects shot at them and used explosives while two were inside the vehicle. They died at the scene. Only one managed to escape.” 

Earlier, Mhlongo had reported that on August 6, armed suspects ambushed a CIT van near Nkunzana using explosives to steal cash and weapons. A high-speed chase followed, involving multiple vehicle hijackings, including a K9 police vehicle. Following an intensive investigation, police recovered evidence from an abandoned getaway vehicle and arrested three suspects (aged 37, 39, and 51) in Durban on September 3. 

He said the suspects appeared in the Nongoma Magistrate’s Court on Monday and will return on September 14 for their bail application. 

Institute for Security Studies security expert Willem Els said robbers typically ram CIT vehicles to force a surrender. While they previously burned trucks if guards resisted, standard practice now is for guards to surrender to avoid lethal violence, allowing attackers to disarm them and escape.

“It seems that now they are actually a bit more violent based on the last two incidents,” Els said. 

“Apart from them being more violent, it is also brazen in how they attack them.” 

Els explained that criminals consistently evolve their targets based on risk and reward. As banks and ATMs hardened their security, robbers shifted to CIT, seeking the optimal balance of high yield and success probability.

“When it also became more difficult for them to attack the vehicles, they went for the over-the-pavement attacks when the guards were actually loading the cash from the shop onto the vehicle,” Els said.