Cash-in-transit heist robber shot dead, another hospitalised: Security guards send CIT robber to his ancestors

In the heart of Mpumalanga province, a deadly encounter has unfolded, highlighting the ongoing battle between law enforcement and armed criminals targeting the country's cash-in-transit (CIT) vehicles. On 15 May 2025, near the town of White River, a group of armed suspects attempted to rob a cash van, only to be met with fierce resistance from the security guards tasked with protecting the valuable cargo. The ensuing shootout resulted in one robber being shot dead at the scene, instantly joining his ancestors while his comrade sustained serious injuries before being taken into custody. Fearing for their dear lives, the remaining members of the gang fled into the surrounding landscape.

The incident began when an unidentified number of suspects launched an audacious attack on a cash van, their intentions clear: to overpower the security personnel and make off with a substantial sum of money. However, the security guards were prepared for such an eventuality, having undergone rigorous training and equipped with the necessary firepower to defend themselves and the assets they were entrusted to protect.

As the robbers launched their assault, the security guards responded swiftly and decisively, engaging the suspects in a fierce gun battle. The air crackled with the sound of gunfire as bullets flew in both directions, the intensity of the confrontation leaving no room for doubt: this was a fight for survival.

In the heat of the moment, the security guards managed to gain the upper hand, their superior training and tactical awareness proving to be the decisive factors. One of the alleged robbers was struck by gunfire, succumbing to his injuries at the scene. Another suspect was also wounded, but managed to survive the initial exchange of fire.

With the tide turning against them, the remaining members of the gang made the decision to abandon their mission and flee the scene, leaving behind their fallen comrade and the injured suspect. They scattered in different directions, seeking to evade capture and disappear into the anonymity of the surrounding area.

Following the shootout, law enforcement agencies were immediately notified, and a team of police officers and investigators was dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of one of the alleged robbers, as well as the injured suspect, who was promptly taken into custody and transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment under police guard.

A search of the area revealed two rifles, which were believed to have been used by the suspects during the attempted robbery. Additionally, a Ford Ranger bakkie, reportedly used by the assailants, was later found abandoned in Swalala, near Masoyi.

Despite the intensity of the shootout and the brazen nature of the attempted robbery, initial investigations revealed that no money was stolen during the incident. This suggested that the primary objective of the suspects was to overpower the security guards and gain access to the cash van, but their plans were thwarted by the swift and decisive actions of the security personnel.

The surviving suspect is expected to appear in court soon, where he will face charges related to the attempted robbery and the death of his accomplice. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are continuing their efforts to track down the outstanding suspects, determined to bring them to justice for their involvement in this violent crime.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Doctor) Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the efforts of the POLSEC members involved in the incident, emphasizing that law enforcement agencies are working collaboratively to combat crime and that the strategies in place are beginning to yield positive results.

He stated that the swift response and professionalism demonstrated by the security partners during the incident were commendable, and reiterated the commitment to ensuring the safety of the community and working tirelessly to bring criminals to justice.

The attempted CIT heist near White River is not an isolated incident, but rather a reflection of a broader trend of armed robberies targeting cash vans and other high-value assets in South Africa. These crimes are often carried out by highly organized and well-equipped gangs, who are willing to use violence and intimidation to achieve their goals.

In response to this growing threat, law enforcement agencies and security companies have been working to enhance their strategies and tactics, seeking to deter potential robbers and improve their ability to respond effectively when attacks do occur. This includes investing in better training and equipment for security personnel, as well as improving intelligence gathering and coordination between different law enforcement agencies.

The incident near White River also serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by security guards, who are often the first line of defense against armed criminals. These individuals put their lives on the line every day to protect valuable assets and ensure the safety of the public.

The attempted CIT heist near White River bears a chilling resemblance to a similar incident that occurred just last week in Thokoza, on the East Rand of Gauteng. In that case, a gang of approximately 10 robbers targeted a Fidelity Cash Solutions CIT vehicle, employing explosives to try and breach the armored van. However, their plans went horribly wrong when one of the robbers also joined his ancestors after accidentally detonated the explosives prematurely, resulting in his gruesome death at the crime scene.

Police forensic teams combing the scene of the botched cash-in-transit (CIT) heist last week were stunned to find pieces of human flesh in people's yards and on rooftops. It was initially reported that one suspect lost a leg when explosives used to detonate the cash van went off after the armed robbers rammed a silver BMW into the cash van, bringing it to a halt.

It has now emerged that the robber whose leg was spotted on the scene had in fact died on the same day when he "blew himself up" with explosives while trying to attack the cash van. His dismembered body parts could now assist police gathering evidence about the gang behind the failed heist.

The Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale told reporters that the suspected robber's chopped body parts were found on roof tops of the neighbouring houses at the corner of Khumalo and Murubisi streets.

Mogale said it was after police had arrived at the scene and the commotion had died down that residents started seeing mangled pieces of body parts in their yards and on the streets. Colonel Mogale added that his body was in pieces. She said it was not only the leg that was at the scene; other pieces were all over the neighborhood and in people's yards. Other parts were found on top of people's roofs.

Now Hawks investigators are trying to use the pieces of human flesh found on the scene last week to build a profile of the suspect and possibly track down his gang to solve the crime. Mogale said no one has come forward to claim the body parts to date.

Colonel Mogale said If no one claims these pieces, they will be buried in a pauper's funeral. She said this is why they always tell people how dangerous it is to approach a cash van that had been bombed to pick up money after the robbers have left as other explosives could not have detonated yet.

According to police, residents who rushed to the scene when the explosion went off had initially thought the robbers had fled the scene with one of the injured men, leaving his leg behind.

As Major General (Doctor) Zeph Mkhwanazi pointed out, law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to combat crime and bring criminals to justice. The strategies in place are beginning to yield positive results, as evidenced by the decreased number of CIT heists recorded in the 2023-to-2024 year compared to the previous year.

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