As South Africa steps into 2026, the persistent threat of cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies remains a critical concern. However, the Cash-In-Transit Association of South Africa (Citasa) is committing to a determined effort to continue the downward trend in these brazen heists.
“Citasa will work towards ensuring, through the collaborative efforts, that we continue to see a decrease in CIT heists in South Africa. The main focus will remain on the saving of lives, protection of assets and creating a stable environment for cash operations,” Citasa head Grant Clark said.
He said Citasa enhances the safety of CIT operations through continuous stakeholder engagements, sharing information and crime risk analysis to facilitate intelligence-led operations with law enforcement.
Clark noted that safety measures are in place to protect CIT employees while on duty.
“Various methods of monitoring and observation. Additional surveillance when conducting services. Armoured vehicles, bullet-resistant clothes, proper training, as well as firearms,” Clark said, adding that the CIT industry is continuously investing in ensuring the safety of staff and assets.
Clark concluded by saying the fight against CIT robberies depends crucially on the enforcement of current legislation.
“For example, the Explosives Act….draft assets in transit regulations have also been published to guide the CIT industry,” Clark said.
Meanwhile, Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said recently a cash van, escorted by a security officer driving behind it, was rammed by a white Mercedes-Benz approaching from the opposite direction on Elias Motsoaledi Road in Roodepoort. The cash van overturned, and more suspects joined in and bombed the cash van while other suspects were engaged in a shootout with the security officer from an escort vehicle.
“The suspects then disarmed the three security officers who were in a cash van and took an undisclosed amount of cash,” Masondo said.
He said that before fleeing the scene in two BMWs and a Nissan Hardbody bakkie, the suspects set alight the Mercedes-Benz used to ram the cash van.
Masondo said two cars suspected of having been used in the CIT robbery were found after the robbery.
“The two cars, a white BMW and a Nissan Hardbody bakkie, are confirmed to have been hijacked in Gauteng and the North West, respectively,” Masondo said.
“Swift response by various units of the South African Police Service in Gauteng, Gauteng Traffic Police and private security officers led to the recovery of one BMW and Nissan Hardbody inside the yard of one of the houses in Meadowlands, Soweto. Two people who were found inside the house, a male and a female, were taken by the police for questioning.”
Masondo added that the suspects are being sought, and efforts to recover the stolen cash are ongoing.
