WATCH: Tragic Shootout Leaves Two Bystanders Dead in Dawn Park Cash-in-Transit Heist

On September 1, 2025, a violent cash-in-transit robbery unfolded on Barry Marais Road in Dawn Park, Ekurhuleni, resulting in the deaths of two bystanders caught in crossfire between suspects and security personnel.

The incident began when a silver Mercedes-Benz rammed a cash transport vehicle from behind, causing it to overturn and collide with a minibus taxi carrying seven passengers. Five of those passengers received medical attention for injuries, while the remaining two were unharmed. Around eight armed suspects then used explosives to access the cash vehicle's contents before escaping with an unknown sum of money. During the getaway, gunfire erupted as a nearby security team responded to the scene, leading to the fatal shooting of the two bystanders.

South African Police Service officials have launched an investigation into the robbery and shootings. Authorities have advised the public to avoid approaching active cash-in-transit crime scenes and to refrain from collecting any scattered money from such incidents. Residents are encouraged to stay alert and report suspicious activities to the SAPS Crime Stop line at 08600 10111.

This event adds to the ongoing challenge of cash-in-transit robberies in South Africa. According to official crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, such incidents decreased by 12.5% compared to the previous period. Earlier data shows a drop from 64 reported cases in the fourth quarter of 2022/2023 to 40 in the fourth quarter of 2023/2024. KwaZulu-Natal has emerged as a high-risk area for these crimes in 2025, highlighted by a double robbery on the N2 near Mtubatuba in March.

Recent related incidents underscore the persistence of this issue. In July 2025, five suspects were killed in a police shootout following a cash-in-transit attempt. In May 2025, a failed heist in Thokoza left one suspect with a severed leg after an explosion during the operation.