Police in Limpopo have launched an extensive manhunt for assailants who brazenly robbed Fidelity Security guards at Dzumeri Machayisenga complex in Giyani. The robbery, which unfolded on Monday, saw two security officials targeted while loading cash into ATMs.
According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, the Fidelity Security crew, accompanied by a rifleman, had just arrived when they were ambushed. As the rifleman stood guard, an armed suspect intercepted him, brandishing a firearm and ordering him to the ground.
Seizing the moment, the assailant took control of a trolley containing two sealed bags of cash and proceeded to disarm the driver, robbing him of his service pistol and ammunition. The suspect then fled in a white Nissan NP200, making a swift getaway.
Authorities quickly mobilized, summoning the Phalaborwa Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, Giyani detectives, and crime intelligence officers to the scene. Several spent cartridges were recovered as evidence. Witnesses reported seeing three individuals in reflector jackets during the heist, adding another layer of mystery to the crime.
The Hawks have confirmed that a case of armed robbery has been opened, and their National Priority Violent Crime (NPVC) unit is leading the investigation. Acting provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Brigadier Desmond Alexander, has activated a specialized team to track the perpetrators. “Although the NPVC unit is on the ground tracing the suspects, we urge the community to provide any information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of these criminals,” Alexander stated.
Authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward by contacting the police Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111, using the My SAPS App, or reporting to their nearest police station.
This incident comes amid growing concerns about the safety of security personnel and bystanders at cash-in-transit (CIT) crime scenes. Just this week, a CIT robbery on the N2 in Durban saw armed suspects fire multiple shots, injuring three bystanders and killing a woman. The Cash-In-Transit Association of South Africa (Citasa) has since called for urgent action to enhance security measures in light of these escalating attacks.
