Durban – A cash-in-transit (CIT) vehicle was violently attacked and blown up on the N2 northbound near Chesterville, KwaZulu-Natal, on the evening of Monday, 2 February 2026. The audacious heist, which occurred around 7 pm, saw suspected criminals bomb the armoured vehicle, leading to a chaotic scene where hundreds of residents and passing motorists descended to loot the scattered cash.
Emergency services, including Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics, were dispatched to the scene. Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson for ALS Paramedics, recounted the unfolding events: "Paramedics arrived after South African Police Service (SAPS) had made the scene safe to find hundreds of members of the public looting money on the ground. SAPS quickly dispersed the looters and paramedics were shown to two security personnel who were in the vehicle at the time of the robbery."
Jamieson further detailed the severity of the incident, stating, "An explosion of a cash van on the N2 going towards Umhlanga just after Spaghetti junction. Hundreds of looters from cars and nearby informal settlements were looting the cash that had been left on the roadside from the truck. Obviously, police were quick to stop the looting and secure the crime scene. One of the guards has sustained minor to moderate injuries as a result of the explosion. So, we are currently treating one of the guards and he will be transported to a nearby hospital. The N2 northbound has been totally closed from the M7."
One of the two security personnel inside the vehicle sustained minor to moderate injuries from the explosion and received immediate treatment from paramedics. The second guard was assessed and fortunately did not require extensive medical attention. The N2 national freeway was completely closed off by SAPS and Metro Police to facilitate ongoing investigations, with motorists advised to seek alternative routes due to the active crime scene.
This incident highlights the persistent and evolving threat of cash-in-transit robberies across South Africa. Just days prior to this explosion, on Saturday, 31 January 2026, KwaZulu-Natal police made a significant breakthrough in Inanda. Members of the Inanda Trio Task Team, while on patrol near Ithendele Road and the M25 Curnick Ndlovu Highway, noticed a suspicious white VW Polo. Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered explosives with detonators concealed in a backpack in the boot, leading to the arrest of a suspected CIT robber. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the arrest, noting that the suspect was expected to appear in the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 2 February 2026. This pre-emptive strike potentially averted another violent heist, underscoring the continuous efforts by law enforcement to combat these organised criminal syndicates.
The battle against CIT robberies remains a critical concern for South Africa as it navigates 2026. Despite a reported decrease in the overall number of CIT robberies in 2025, the tactics employed by criminals have become increasingly violent. The Cash-In-Transit Association of South Africa (Citasa) has committed to collaborative efforts to maintain a downward trend in these heists, with a primary focus on safeguarding lives, protecting assets, and fostering a stable environment for cash operations.
Grant Clark, head of Citasa, emphasised the importance of continuous stakeholder engagements, information sharing, and crime risk analysis to support intelligence-led operations with law enforcement. He also detailed the robust safety measures in place for CIT employees, which include "various methods of monitoring and observation. Additional surveillance when conducting services. Armoured vehicles, bullet-resistant clothes, proper training, as well as firearms." Clark stressed that the industry is consistently investing in enhancing the safety of its staff and assets, and that the effective enforcement of existing legislation, such as the Explosives Act, is crucial in this ongoing fight. Draft assets in transit regulations have also been published to guide the CIT industry, reflecting a comprehensive approach to mitigating these risks.
The Chesterville incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges faced by authorities and security companies. The immediate aftermath, characterised by widespread looting, further complicates the situation, turning a criminal act into a broader societal issue. Investigations are actively underway to piece together the events that led to the robbery and to apprehend all those responsible for both the heist and the subsequent looting. The closure of a major arterial route like the N2 highlights the significant disruption these criminal acts cause to daily life and commerce in the region.
Follow Us on Twitter
