- Three cash-in-transit heists occurred in one day, with one incident involving a bombed cash van north of Pretoria.
- Cash-in-transit robberies in South Africa increased by 6% from Quarter 1 to Quarter 2 of 2024.
- June 2024 saw the highest number of CIT robberies for the year, with a trend of increasing violence.
On Thursday, South Africa experienced a surge in cash-in-transit (CIT) heists, with three separate incidents occurring within a single day.
Cash-in-Transit Heist: Syndicates hit three cash vans in a single day
One of the most notable attacks took place north of Pretoria, where a cash van was bombed by a syndicate.
Details about the incident were still trickling in when this article was published. From what we understand, however, the suspects managed to make off with an undisclosed amount of cash and authorities were actively pursuing all leads, with routes near Carousel View, Hammanskraal, cordoned off.
Statistics from the Cash-in-Transit Association of South Africa reveal a worrying trend.
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In the first two quarters of 2024, CIT robberies increased by 6%.
Although there was a temporary decline in these crimes from February to May 2024, the situation took a drastic turn in June.
That month reported the highest number of CIT robberies for the year, with the trend continuing to escalate in July.
From January to May 2024, the average number of CIT robberies was 0.6 per day.
This figure rose to 0.8 per day in June and further increased to 1 per day from 1 July to 22 July.
The rise in these incidents has been accompanied by a surge in violence. In June and July alone, four CIT employees were fatally wounded, and twenty-two others sustained injuries.
The methods used by these syndicates have also become more destructive. Large groups of robbers are now attacking armoured vehicles while they are on the road, using more explosives to carry out their heists.
This has resulted in the total destruction of vehicles and onboard equipment, leading to significant financial losses for the security companies involved.
Places in South Africa where a cash heist is likely to take place
The geographic spread of these attacks remains concentrated in certain high-risk provinces.
The Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, and Gauteng have been the primary targets, but recent incidents have shown that the threat is expanding to other regions, including the Western Cape.
The coordinated nature of these attacks, often occurring across different provinces on the same day, underscores the sophisticated planning behind them.
In response to these escalating threats, security companies and law enforcement agencies are under increased pressure to enhance their strategies and defences.
The growing frequency and violence of these CIT robberies not only pose a severe risk to the lives of security personnel but also threaten the stability of cash transportation and the broader financial system in South Africa.
Efforts are being made to address the situation, with calls for better training for security personnel, improved technology in armoured vehicles, and more effective coordination among law enforcement agencies.
However, the persistence and adaptability of these criminal syndicates present a formidable challenge that requires sustained and comprehensive efforts to overcome.
