Another cash-in-transit robbery has struck the country, this time around on the N12 near Diepkloof in Soweto.
The incident happened on Saturday, 7 October adding to the string of heists that have dominated parts of the country since the start of the month.
According to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, all lanes on N12 towards South Gate were closed off to traffic due to the scene.
The aftermath of the robbery could be seen in a video footage that has since made rounds on social media. The cash-in-transit vehicle could be seen flipped over with the scene parameter not secured inviting residents to salvage any cash.
Today’s #CITRobbery on the N12, south of JHB. pic.twitter.com/nJ1YGVP6EB
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) October 7, 2023
National police spokeswoman Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the robbery further detailing how one woman was kidnapped and four guards attached to Fidelity were shot at during the incident.
She said one had sustained gunshot wounds while the others sustained injuries after the cash vehicle overturned before being bombed by the suspects.
On the kidnapping, Mathe said a female driver of a BMW was forced at gunpoint to drive suspects towards Soweto.
The suspects got off near Diepkloof and ran towards other getaway vehicles.
To date, Mathe said police have launched a manhunt for at least 15 to 20 suspects who got away with an undisclosed amount of money during the CIT heist.
“The Gauteng community is requested to be on the lookout for suspects travelling in a black Golf 8 GTI, a blue BMW X6, a white Mitsibishi Pajero, a black Range Rover and a white Toyota Fortuna,” said Mathe.
Police are investigating a case of hijacking and kidnapping, cash in transit, and attempted murder.
Mathe further warned communities against picking up money from CIT crime scenes as this amounts to theft and defeating the ends of justice.
“CIT scenes are dangerous and can pose a risk to the loss of life as explosives are often used to blow up these cash vans.”
Heist take over
There has been a spike in CIT heists observed in the country. This week alone in KwaZulu-Natal at least three cash-in-transit robberies took place at three various places in Durban.
Police efforts in curbing the spike
The national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola said they will not stand back in dealing with such criminal activities.
In Gauteng, four suspects linked to a CIT robbery that took place in Kaalfontein, near Tembisa were arrested and found with dye stained money, explosives, and an AK47.
In KwaZulu-Natal four suspects were shot and killed during a confrontation with police at a home utilised as a safe haven for the syndicate in KwaMashu on Friday, 6 October morning.
“We are tailoring our operations to ensure that a strong presence of police is felt on the ground. We are investing in our police to ensure they are operationally ready and have the required resources,” she said.
-daily sun
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