Six alleged cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers were fatally shot during a confrontation with police in Laudium, Tshwane.
Cash-in-transit suspects cross deadly paths with Laudium police
The suspects were reportedly on their way to execute a cash van robbery in Atteridgeville when law enforcement intercepted them.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that officers attempted to stop the suspects’ vehicles when a shootout broke out.
During the exchange, six suspects were killed, and one individual was arrested. Authorities recovered four firearms from the scene.
Investigators believe the group had been operating from a safe house in Laudium.
Further searches are expected as police work to determine whether the suspects were linked to previous CIT heists.
SAPS crime statistics on CIT heists in Q3 of 2024
The latest SAPS crime data, released on Friday, 21 February 2025, shows that cash-in-transit heists declined in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
A total of 29 CIT heists were reported in Q3 2024, a significant drop from the 46 recorded in Q3 2023.
This represents a 37% decrease, suggesting that increased law enforcement efforts and improved security measures may be deterring these crimes.
Despite the overall reduction, Gauteng remains one of the hardest-hit provinces, with eight cases reported in the last quarter.
KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of incidents with 10 cases, followed by the Eastern Cape with four and North West with three.
No CIT robberies were recorded in the Free State, Northern Cape, or Western Cape during this period.
Experts suggest several factors contributing to the decline, including heightened police visibility, improved collaboration between banks, cash transit companies, and law enforcement, and advancements in armoured vehicle security.
However, CIT heists remain a major concern due to their violent nature and the involvement of heavily armed suspects.
Organised crime syndicates continue to target Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal due to high cash flow in urban centres and easy access to escape routes via major highways.
These groups often rely on insider information and military-style tactics, making CIT heists some of the most dangerous crimes in the country.
