Police in Mbombela are investigating an attempted cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery that took place on Saturday along the N4 road near the Kanyamazane turn-off, after a group of determined assailants in multiple vehicles tried to target a cash delivery vehicle. However, the skilled security officers on board successfully fended off the attack, preventing any theft.
According to provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the incident occurred when security guards were transporting cash from Malelane to Mbombela. The group of assailants, driving vehicles including a grey Toyota Fortuner, a white Ford Ranger with Gauteng plates, a Toyota Hilux GD-6, and a white Mercedes-Benz, appeared on the scene and began to aggressively ram the cash van.
The driver of the cash van, noticing unusual behavior from the vehicles following them, responded quickly by overtaking a slow-moving Mercedes-Benz. However, the Mercedes-Benz sped up behind the van, attempting to ram it. In a split second, the driver of the cash van skillfully maneuvered into the opposite lane, facing oncoming traffic to evade the attackers. Although the speeding Mercedes-Benz scraped the side of the van, no major damage was done, and the van managed to maintain control.
The attack didn’t stop there as the Ford Ranger aggressively pursued the van at high speeds. However, the driver of the cash van continued driving at top speed until he reached his destination in Mbombela, leaving the attackers behind. Notably, no cash was taken during the harrowing incident.
After police arrived at the scene, they discovered the Mercedes-Benz C-Class without its number plates, set on fire by the suspects. However, the robbers had already fled the scene, and no injuries were reported.
Authorities are continuing to search for the suspects, who remain at large. Police urge anyone with information that may assist in the investigation to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or use the My SAPS App. All information received will be treated as confidential.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, highlighted that law enforcement agencies in Mpumalanga are collaborating strategically to combat cash-in-transit robberies and ensure the safety of residents and businesses in the province.
