A man has tragically lost his life following a brazen cash-in-transit (CIT) heist that unfolded in Katlehong on Friday morning, leaving the community in shock and raising serious concerns about violent crime in the area.
According to initial reports, the incident took place at the intersection between the Phake and Hlahatsi sections, where a white Mercedes-Benz, occupied by unidentified male suspects, deliberately collided with a Fidelity security cash van. The crash appeared to be the beginning of a carefully coordinated robbery.
Moments after the impact, chaos erupted as the armed suspects proceeded to bomb the cash-in-transit van. Explosions echoed through the neighbourhood as residents ducked for cover. The explosion was reportedly powerful enough to breach one of the safes inside the vehicle, giving the attackers access to an undisclosed amount of money.
As the robbery unfolded, a shootout ensued between the suspects and Fidelity security officers who were inside the vehicle at the time of the attack. Gunfire exchanged between the two sides led to the tragic death of one man during the confrontation. At this stage, it remains unclear whether the deceased was one of the suspects, a guard, or a bystander caught in the crossfire.
The suspects quickly fled the scene in a separate getaway vehicle — a black Audi — leaving behind the wreckage of the Mercedes-Benz used to initiate the attack. It is believed that the attackers managed to get away with cash from one of the safes that had been bombed during the heist.
In the aftermath, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), Gauteng Traffic Wardens (GTW), and Fidelity’s own forensic investigators descended upon the scene. Forensic experts and crime scene investigators have since cordoned off the area to collect evidence, interview witnesses, and piece together the timeline of events.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the man who died, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether any of the suspects sustained injuries during the gunfight.
This incident has once again highlighted the growing danger that CIT guards and the general public face as criminal syndicates continue to target armored vehicles with increasing levels of violence and military-style tactics. Community members have expressed fear and outrage following the incident, demanding more protection and faster response times from law enforcement.
Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects involved in the heist. They are urging anyone with information or who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area to come forward and assist with the investigation.
As authorities continue their search for those responsible, questions remain about how such coordinated criminal operations continue to plague Gauteng’s townships. The community of Katlehong remains on edge, hoping justice will be served and that security around cash-in-transit operations will be urgently tightened.
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