READ: Cash-in-Transit Robberies: A Persistent Threat to South Africa’s Security

South Africa is grappling with a relentless wave of cash, with cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies emerging as one of the most visible and violent manifestations of the country’s crime epidemic. These brazen heists, often executed with military precision, heavy weaponry, and explosives, have become a near-weekly occurrence, posing severe risks to security personnel, bystanders, and the nation’s economic stability. Despite efforts by law enforcement and private security firms, the frequency and audacity of CIT robberies continue to challenge South Africa’s ability to curb violent crime, with KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Eastern Cape bearing the brunt of the crisis.

In 2024 alone, over 200 CIT robberies were recorded across South Africa, marking a significant increase from previous years. According to the Cash-In-Transit Association in South Africa (Citasa), KwaZulu-Natal accounted for 27% of these incidents, followed closely by Gauteng at 25% and the Eastern Cape at 21%. Other provinces, including Mpumalanga (8%), Western Cape (6%), North West (6%), Free State (5%), and Limpopo (2%), also reported cases, though at lower rates. The fourth quarter of 2024 saw 29 CIT heists between October and December, with seven involving cross-pavement attacks and 22 targeting armored vehicles on the road. These statistics underscore the scale of the problem, with incidents occurring almost daily in high-risk areas.

The modus operandi of CIT robbers is both sophisticated and brutal. Perpetrators typically use stolen vehicles to ram cash vans off the road or shoot at the armored vehicles to force them to stop. Once immobilized, the vans are often blown open with commercial explosives, and security guards are assaulted, disarmed, or, in some cases, killed. In a February 2025 incident on the N2 freeway in Durban, one person was killed, and ten others, including three bystanders, were injured when suspects fired multiple shots during a robbery, stealing an undisclosed amount of cash and firearms from the guards. Such incidents highlight the collateral damage inflicted on communities and the public’s growing desensitization to these violent spectacles, often captured on social media.

Several high-profile CIT robberies in early 2025 illustrate the persistent threat. On May 6, 2025, in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, a group of ten armed men attempted to rob a cash van. The heist failed when a suspect prematurely detonated explosives, resulting in the loss of his leg and severe injuries. Gauteng police are investigating the incident as attempted robbery and murder, but no cash was stolen, and the suspects fled, leaving behind a damaged vehicle. Social media images of the aftermath, including the suspect’s severed limb, underscored the graphic nature of these crimes.

In another incident on April 10, 2025, in Soshanguve, Tshwane, four people, including a bystander, were killed during a CIT heist. The robbers blocked a cash van, overpowered the crew, and used explosives to access the cash. A chase ensued, resulting in a shootout with the Tactical Response Team, during which three suspects were killed, and eight others were arrested. The incident reflects the deadly confrontations that often accompany police efforts to apprehend CIT robbers.

KwaZulu-Natal, identified as the highest-risk province for CIT robberies, has seen a string of violent heists. On April 1, 2025, a cash van was ambushed on the M25 KwaMashu Highway, with robbers stealing an undisclosed amount of money after accosting the vehicle and firing high-caliber weapons. The following day, five suspected robbers, wanted for a March 31 heist in KwaMashu, were killed in a shootout with police in Ridgeview, Durban. One of the deceased was believed to be a kingpin orchestrating multiple CIT robberies nationwide, highlighting the organized nature of these syndicates.

The human cost of CIT robberies is staggering. Security guards face extreme danger, with 15 killed in 2024 alone, according to industry reports. Survivors, like Lenience, a guard who endured a hijacking, describe living in constant fear, praying daily for their safety. Injuries are common, as seen in a March 3, 2025, robbery on the R74 near Stanger, where two security officers were shot and injured. Bystanders are also at risk, with civilians caught in the crossfire or targeted during chaotic scenes. In a November 2024 heist in Soweto, a 21-year-old bystander suffered a gunshot wound to the neck, while community members looted the damaged cash van, complicating police efforts.

Economically, CIT robberies disrupt the critical function of cash transportation, which supports social grant payments, banking operations, and retail businesses. The Cash-In-Transit Association has warned that without urgent intervention, the trend will persist, threatening the financial ecosystem. The loss of cash, combined with damage to armored vehicles and increased insurance costs, places a significant burden on the industry. Moreover, the public’s perception of safety is eroded, with viral videos of heists fueling distrust in law enforcement’s ability to address the crisis.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has taken steps to combat CIT robberies, including establishing a special task team in 2008 to target organized crime syndicates. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has made notable arrests, such as the apprehension of six suspects in Gqeberha on December 11, 2024, following a heist and shootout. Recovered items included five rifles, two pistols, and G4S cash bags, indicating the level of armament involved. In another operation in Khayelitsha on August 5, 2024, eight suspected robbers were killed in a sting operation, thwarting a planned heist.

Private security firms, such as Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) and ADT Fidelity, play a critical role in responding to CIT robberies, often engaging suspects directly. In an April 30, 2025, incident in Umlazi, Durban, a CIT driver escaped robbers by driving into a shopping center, where security guards locked the gates, forcing the suspects to flee. However, the reliance on private security highlights a broader issue: the police’s perceived inability to manage the crime wave. Experts warn that the booming private security industry, while effective for those who can afford it, exacerbates inequality, as most South Africans lack access to such services and resort to vigilantism or community militias.

CIT robberies are symptomatic of deeper systemic challenges in South Africa, including high unemployment, widespread poverty, and a proliferation of illegal firearms. The Institute for Security Studies reported a 264% increase in kidnappings from 2014/15 to 2023/24, often linked to aggravated robberies, including CIT heists. The murder rate, at a 20-year high, further compounds the climate of insecurity. As South Africa approaches future elections, crime remains a central issue, with the ruling African National Congress facing criticism for its handling of the crisis.

Forensic investigator Calvin Rafadi has emphasized the need for public vigilance, warning against tampering with crime scenes, as fingerprints can lead to arrests. The Police Ministry’s November 2024 meeting with Citasa signaled a commitment to addressing CIT robberies, but tangible outcomes remain limited. Proposed solutions include enhanced intelligence-sharing, stricter regulation of explosives, and increased funding for SAPS to bolster its capacity.

Cash-in-transit robberies represent a complex and entrenched challenge for South Africa, blending organized crime, extreme violence, and socioeconomic disparity. The frequency of these heists, coupled with their devastating impact on lives and livelihoods, demands a multifaceted response that addresses both immediate security needs and underlying structural issues. As police and private security forces intensify their efforts, the nation watches closely, hoping for a future where the roads are safe for those tasked with transporting its wealth. Until then, CIT robberies remain a stark reminder of South Africa’s ongoing battle against crime.