A dramatic cash in transit heist unfolded on Nyala Road in KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday, leaving both residents and authorities on high alert.
The incident, which took place shortly after 2pm, saw a vehicle transporting an undisclosed amount of cash targeted by armed robbers, resulting in significant damage to the vehicle and chaos in the vicinity.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said it received numerous emergency calls from locals witnessing the scene as it unfolded. Upon arrival, RUSA officers found South African Police Service (SAPS) already present, conducting investigations at the site of the crime.
RUSA added that witnesses described hearing three distinct explosions, believed to be caused by explosives used during the heist.
Meanwhile, KZN police spokesperson, Captain Ntathu Ndlovu, confirmed that a heist took place and couldn't confirm the number of suspects.
"There were no fatalities, investigations are still on going on the scene," she said.
Early this month, two cash-in-transit heist vehicles were forcibly stopped on the N2 near Mtubatuba in KZN.
According to KZN Private Ambulance Services, one of the vehicles was bombed, and multiple gunshots were fired.
Spokesperson Craig Botha said the suspects failed to bomb the other van.
"One patient was treated on scene for minor injuries."
In another incident, also in KZN in February, the N2 highway near the NPC Cement Factory was brought to a standstill after robbers ambushed a cash-in-transit vehicle during peak hour.
Dramatic footage of the robbers blowing up the van went viral on social media.
The robbers made their getaway through Chatsworth, opening fire on a taxi and killing one woman.
Later that afternoon, one of the suspects allegedly linked to the CIT heist was killed in a shoot-out with police in the Glenwood, Durban area. Police said the money was found abandoned in a vehicle.