By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Three people were rushed to hospital on Wednesday morning after an armoured cash-in-transit vehicle was blown up on Malendela Road in KwaMashu, Durban.
Emer-G-Med spokesperson Kyle Van Reenan said they responded to reports of a CIT heist on Malendela Drive in KwaMashu at around 6am.
“On arrival on scene an armoured vehicle was found to have been blown up and engulfed in flames, “Van Reenan said.
“Three people were treated for moderate injuries and taken by ambulances to nearby hospitals for further medical care.”
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said a cash delivery truck was was accosted by suspects who were reportedly travelling in at least two vehicles.
“The suspects overpowered three security guards and allegedly robbed them of their firearms before fleeing from the scene with an undisclosed amount of money.”
He said a manhunt has been launched for the suspects.
Police are appealing to anyone who might have information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects to contact the nearest police station or call the crime stop number 08600 10111.
According to the SAPS statistics presented to Parliament, there were 137 cash-in-transit heists in 2015/16, 152 in 2016/17 and 238 in 2017/18 – a 56.6% increase over the last financial year.
Most cash-in-transit heists happened on the road (84) followed by business areas (66), malls (40) and convenience shops at garages (21). In most instances, security guards’ weapons were taken from them.
CEO of Fidelity Security Service Group, Wahl Bartmann, says increasing visibility is absolutely key, with the need for police to increase their resources in stemming the tide against cash-in-transit robberies.
At least we would expect authorities to concentrate resources where the majority of the attacks are taking place. Within the Fidelity footprint, the areas of concern are Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Eastern Cape and Gauteng.
Bartmann said, as a company, they too have invested resources and research into developing technologies against robberies.
“As Fidelity, we have invested a lot of time, money and research into developing and on-boarding technological defence mechanisms, as well as in the training of our highly skilled officers. The safety of our officers is key. It is essential that we continuously evolve to defend against these changing tactics,” he said.
Head of the Cash-In-Transit Association of SA (CITASA) Grant Clark says the association is deeply concerned about the increase in CIT robberies, hence our continuous collaboration with different role-players, including the SAPS, to bring this crime down. The loss of life, injuries and financial implications are some of the consequences suffered not only by the CIT industry but also South Africa as a country.
CITASA monitors all cash-in-transit robberies in South Africa daily and is the voice of the CIT Industry.