Police in Durban have launched a manhunt for eight suspects following a daring cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery on the N2 highway south of the city yesterday morning.
The heavily armed gang ambushed a cash delivery vehicle near the NPC cement factory, forcing it to stop after opening fire on the armoured van. The attackers used explosives to gain access to the vehicle. Two security guards were shot and injured during the incident—one sustained critical injuries and had to be airlifted to hospital, while the other was seriously wounded and transported by road for treatment.
The suspects fled the scene in two vehicles, making off with several bags of cash. However, the safe inside the vehicle remained intact and unbreached.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda confirmed the details, stating that traffic on the N2 southbound was brought to a complete standstill as a result of the attack. Authorities urged anyone with information on the suspects’ whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
This latest incident echoes a similar heist at the exact same location in May last year, which involved at least 17 suspects. In that earlier robbery, one woman was killed, 12 bystanders and commuters sustained gunshot wounds as the suspects fled, and two guards were assaulted.
While recent statistics indicate a slight decrease in CIT incidents nationwide, KwaZulu-Natal continues to record among the highest number of such attacks in the country. The Cash-In-Transit Association of South Africa has noted a broader 14% decline in robberies when comparing recent periods, though violence in these crimes remains a concern, particularly for motorists and bystanders caught in the crossfire.
The N2 southbound carriageway was closed for investigations, leading to significant traffic disruptions in the area. Police continue their search for the eight suspects involved.