In the heart of Verulam, a town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a chilling drama unfolded on Wednesday, 4 June 2025. It was a day that would leave one cash-in-transit officer fighting for his life and the community reeling from the audacity of an attempted robbery.
Around midday, four individuals, their faces likely masked with desperation and greed, cruised through the busy streets of Verulam CBD in a silver VW Polo. Their target: a cash-in-transit vehicle, a mobile vault carrying the lifeblood of the local economy.
As the cash-in-transit officer went about his duties on George Sewpersad Street, the four men allegedly accosted him. In a shocking turn of events, they shot the officer in the face. The sound of gunfire pierced the air, leaving local residents scurrying for cover. The officer was left wounded, his life hanging in the balance. The attackers swiftly seized his rifle and 9mm pistol, adding to their arsenal.
The criminals then tried to rob a second officer of a cash bag, but the officer managed to slam the vehicle door shut. The suspects fled empty-handed.
Amidst the chaos, a brave witness recounted the terrifying ordeal. She was on her way to the shops when the sound of gunshots erupted, triggering a wave of panic as people scattered in all directions. She ran for her life. Later, she saw the silver VW Polo speeding away from the scene. The sight of the injured guard bleeding left her fearing the worst, thankful that no one had lost their life. The incident occurred during a busy time, with many grant recipients in Verulam CBD to collect their payments.
The swift response of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) paramedics was crucial in saving the officer's life. They arrived promptly, providing immediate medical assistance to stabilize the critically injured man. Recognizing the severity of his condition, they arranged for him to be airlifted to a medical facility for urgent treatment.
In the aftermath, the scene on George Sewpersad Street became a hive of activity. Law enforcement officers, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Metro Police, swarmed the area, cordoning off the street between Ireland and Wick Street. The closure was necessary to facilitate a thorough investigation and ensure the safety of the public.
The police have launched a full-scale investigation into the attempted cash-in-transit robbery, attempted murder, and robbery. Captain Ntathu Ndlovu, a KZN police spokeswoman, confirmed that reports indicate that cash in transit security guards were ambushed by unknown suspects who attempted to rob them before opening fire, wounding one victim. A firearm was reportedly taken by the suspects. The injured security guard was transported to the hospital for medical attention. The police are urging anyone with information about the incident or the suspects' vehicle to come forward to assist in their ongoing investigation.
According to Captain Eddie Hall, a police spokesperson, the driver stopped and saw a silver VW T-Cross and a white Toyota Hilux double cab. The escorting vehicle was forced out of the road by the robbers in a VW Polo. Both vehicles overturned.
The robbers disarmed the security guards, pulled them out of the cash van, and ordered them to lie down in the grass on the side of the road before bombing the vehicle twice. They then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
In another incident, police foiled a cash-in-transit heist in Tshwane, north of Johannesburg, arresting five suspects. The suspects, who were out on bail for previous cash-in-transit robberies, used a BMW to ram the CIT truck before bombing it and taking an undisclosed amount of cash. A high-speed chase ensued, with the suspects shooting at the police. The police returned fire, and the suspects were eventually apprehended.
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