A double cash-in-transit robbery occurred on the N2 near Mtubatuba on Thursday.
Image: KwaZulu Private Ambulance
A little over two months into 2025 and KwaZulu-Natal is already emerging as the highest-risk province in relation to cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies.
More than 200 CIT robberies were recorded in 2024, with KZN as the highest-risk province with 27% of the robberies, followed by Gauteng (25%), Eastern Cape (21%), Mpumalanga (8%), Western Cape and North West (6% respectively), Free State (5%), and Limpopo (2%), the Cash-In-Transit Association in South Africa (Citasa) revealed.
Since the start of March, KZN has reported at least four CIT robberies.
Citasa incident and analytics manager, Dr Alice Maree, said the provincial distribution for CIT robberies until March 6 at 1pm, is: “KZN is the highest risk province with 34% of the robberies, followed by Gauteng (24%), Eastern Cape (13%), North West (11%), Western Cape (8%), Limpopo (5%), and Mpumalanga (5%).”
“The percentage distribution for 2025 year to date, is already showing KZN as the highest-risk province. It can be expected that this trend will continue if no additional drastic preventative measures are implemented,” Maree said.
“We are dealing with the crime in KZN and speaking to our law enforcement counterparts so that we can, through a collaborative effort, deal with this scourge.”
Two security officers were injured following a cash-in-transit robbery on the R74 in Stanger.
Image: IPSS Medical Rescue
Recent KZN CITs:
Double CIT robbery: N2, Mtubatuba
KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service reported that two cash-in-transit vehicles were attacked on the N2 near Mtubatuba on the morning of March 6. One of the vehicles was bombed, and multiple gunshots were fired, resulting in minor injuries to one person.
CIT robbery: R74, Stanger
IPSS Medical Rescue said a cash-in-transit robbery occurred on Monday, March 3, on the R74 between Stanger and the N2. The suspects fired upon the CIT vehicle, injuring two security officers. One officer sustained a gunshot wound, while the other sustained moderate injuries. The suspects then used explosives to access the vehicle and steal an undisclosed amount of cash.
CIT robbery: R102, Mandeni
IPSS Medical Rescue also said a CIT robbery occurred on the R102 between Mandeni and Gingindlovu on Saturday afternoon, March 1. The suspects, who were armed, fired shots at both the CIT vehicle and the escort vehicle, forcing the escort vehicle off the road. They then used explosives to access the back of the CIT vehicle, escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash and stolen firearms. Two security officers from the escort vehicle sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Two security officers sustained minor injuries during a cash-in-transit robbery in KwaZulu-Natal.
Image: IPSS Medical Rescue
Reacting to these incidents along the KZN North Coast, Maree said CIT criminals execute robberies as part of a group and may be part of different groups based on their specific skills and contacts. It is possible that some individuals could be involved in all different robberies.
Furthermore, the third quarter of the 2024-2025 financial year (October 2024 to December 2024) crime statistics revealed 22 armoured vehicle on-the-road attacks compared to seven cross-pavement attacks.
“Perpetrators consider various factors during the planning stage of the robbery. They prioritise their own safety and will also consider safe getaway routes, limited chances of being apprehended, and the risk of being injured,” Maree said about perpetrators opting for road attacks over cross-pavement attacks.
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za