Three suspected cash-in-transit robbers were killed in a shootout with police and private security officers after a robbery on South Coast Road in Umlazi on Wednesday afternoon.
The suspects allegedly brought a cash-delivery truck to a standstill near Umlazi Mega City and held the security guards at gunpoint. They allegedly disarmed the guards and fled with an undisclosed amount of money.
Police and private security officers responded to the robbery, leading to a shootout in which three suspects were fatally wounded. Two security guards were also injured and taken to hospital for further treatment.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said an unknown number of suspects had been involved in the robbery.
“The suspects were found in possession of three rifles and ammunition,” he said.
Netshiunda said some of the suspects escaped after abandoning a vehicle and hijacking another one.
“A few kilometres away from the crime scene, other suspects who evaded arrest abandoned their bloodstained getaway vehicle and hijacked another one as they continued fleeing from the police.”
A search of the abandoned vehicle led to the recovery of another firearm and an undisclosed amount of money, police said.
The identities of the three men killed had not been released. Police said no officers were injured during the shootout.
Two guards injured
The two security guards injured in the incident were receiving medical attention. Their injuries were described by paramedics as minor to moderate.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Gareth Jamieson said emergency services received a call shortly after 5.25pm.
“Paramedics stood by for SAPS to contain the scene and once contained, medics were allowed to enter,” he said.
The incident took place just outside Umlazi Mega City near the M4 Southern Freeway. The location is a busy commercial and transport area, and emergency crews waited for police to secure the scene before entering.
“Paramedics were shown to where two guards had sustained minor to moderate injuries and began treating them,” Jamieson said.
The guards were later transported to hospital for further care. No further details about their condition were available.
Suspects also needed emergency treatment
While paramedics were treating the security officers, they were informed that suspected robbers had also been shot and required urgent medical attention.
“Multiple ALS paramedics, advanced life support units, as well as ambulances were dispatched to assist,” Jamieson said.
Despite the efforts of emergency personnel, the three men died from their gunshot wounds.
“I can confirm that three people, all males believed to be in their 20s, have sustained fatal injuries as a result of gunshot wounds.”
The paramedics’ account confirmed the deaths, while police continued processing the scene and investigating the circumstances of the shootout. It had not been established whether all three men were among those who had attacked the cash vehicle or whether any other people were wounded during the exchange of fire.
Manhunt under way
A manhunt was under way for the suspects who escaped. Police believe the fleeing men abandoned a bloodstained getaway vehicle a few kilometres from the original crime scene before hijacking another vehicle.
The second vehicle was used to continue the escape, but police had not released details about its make, model or registration number. The identity of its driver or occupants was also unknown.
Investigators will examine the abandoned vehicle for fingerprints, blood evidence, firearms and other clues that could help identify the suspects. The recovered rifle, firearm, ammunition and money will also form part of the evidence collected during the investigation.
Police have not confirmed how much money was stolen from the cash-delivery vehicle or how much was recovered from the abandoned getaway car. They have also not released details about the private security company involved or whether any of the stolen cash remained outstanding.
Investigation continues
The incident began when the suspects allegedly ambushed the cash-delivery truck and held the guards at gunpoint. The response by police and private security officers then developed into a shootout, leaving three suspected robbers dead and two guards injured.
The exact sequence of events remains under investigation. Detectives will need to establish where the shootout occurred, which weapons were fired, whether the three dead men were directly involved in the robbery and how many suspects remain at large.
The investigation will also examine the alleged hijacking of the second vehicle and determine whether its occupants were threatened or injured. Police may appeal to motorists and residents who saw the fleeing suspects or the hijacked vehicle to provide information.
No police officers were injured, but the incident resulted in multiple crime scenes, including the location of the cash-truck robbery and the area where the getaway vehicle was abandoned.
The three men killed were believed to be in their 20s. Their next of kin must be formally identified and informed before police release their names.
The manhunt for the surviving suspects continues as investigators work to recover the remaining stolen money, identify everyone involved and establish the circumstances that led to the deadly shootout near Umlazi Mega City.