A brazen cash-in-transit heist on the N2 highway near Durban on Tuesday morning left one person dead and several others injured amid chaotic scenes during peak traffic. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots as suspects engaged security personnel and attempted to evade arrest.
According to ALS Paramedics, the incident was first reported around 6:25 AM, near the NPC cement factory. Emergency teams arriving at the scene found the cash-in-transit vehicle overturned and damaged.
Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson for ALS Paramedics, described the situation as "total chaos." He noted, "A CIT vehicle had been forced off the road and turned onto its roof. Multiple casualties were being attended to at the scene, which was entirely closed to traffic due to safety concerns."
Initial findings suggest the suspects—a group believed to be heavily armed and wearing bulletproof vests—initiated the robbery and engaged police around the Higginson Highway area. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the suspects firing at security guards from the sunroof of their getaway vehicle.
"We found three security officers with various injuries, treated them on-site, and transported them to the hospital," Jamieson added. The chaos extended beyond the immediate robbery site; shooting incidents were reported about 500 meters away, where several bus passengers sustained gunshot wounds.
Police confirmed the total closure of the N2 freeway, advising motorists to seek alternative routes due to persistent traffic disruptions. Videos surfaced on social media showing frantic motorists reversing away from the gunfire.
Officer Robert Netshiunda, from the KwaZulu-Natal police, confirmed to the media the robbers had assaulted the cash-in-transit crew, stealing firearms before fleeing the scene with cash.
“During the robbery, three bystanders were also shot and injured. We are actively pursuing the suspects who fled through Bayview and Silverglen Drive,” he mentioned.
The shooting resulted not only in injuries but also one fatality, with reports indicating the death of one female victim. Close to the shooting scene, another victim was found severely injured.
Security personnel responded to calls just after 6 AM when multiple reports of shootings and robbery flooded the dispatch line. Responding teams included SAPS and Metro Police, who arrived to find the aftermath of the shootout.
Authorities are investigating the incident, and the full extent of the injured is still being assessed. The serious nature of the crime highlights the rising trend of cash-in-transit robberies affecting the region.
Investigations will focus on gathering evidence at the crime scene, including surveillance from nearby establishments and testimonies from witnesses caught up in the crossfire. The incident raises alarms about community safety, especially during rush hour when many are commuting to work.
This event marks yet another worrying chapter amid rising reports of cash-in-transit heists across South Africa, where security measures and police responses are continuously being critiqued.
The community is urged to remain vigilant as the manhunt for the suspects continues. Authorities are appealing to anyone with information to come forward, assisting efforts to hold those responsible accountable.