🇿🇦The N11 highway was thrown into chaos on Monday afternoon, 28 October 2024, as a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist unfolded near Newcastle, leaving horrified motorists witnessing an assault of chilling intensity.According to reports, the incident occurred at approximately 4:45 pm, when a team of unidentified men launched an attack on a Cash-In-Transit vehicle travelling towards Newcastle.

Providing insight into the harrowing event, Lieutenant Colonel Simphwe Mhlongo, Spokesperson for the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation), detailed that the CIT vehicle was allegedly ambushed by approximately 15 suspects who unleashed a relentless barrage of gunfire upon the vehicle, forcing it to come to a halt.
After the vehicle was immobilised, Lieutenant Colonel Mhlongo reported, “Two security guards were robbed of their service firearms and explosives were used to blow the back of the cash van.” Despite the determined efforts of the attackers to access the cash, their plan was foiled as the safes remained sealed, preventing them from obtaining any of the money.
However, the attack’s ferocity led to tragic consequences. A security guard trapped inside the rear of the CIT vehicle perished as flames consumed the compartment, leaving him unable to escape.

In the aftermath, emergency responders and law enforcement officers worked under intense conditions to manage the devastating scene. Charles Steyn of Magenta Emergency Medical Services explained, “Following the death of the security guard, we had to cut off the rear of the vehicle to retrieve his body. The vehicle was so hot, however, that we had to cool it with water first.”
Alongside the tragic fatality, two other security guards sustained injuries during the attack. “The driver of the vehicle had climbed out of the vehicle and had attempted to run away but he was shot twice, once in the arm and once in the leg. Another security official sustained serious burns on his face and arms,” added Steyn. The driver had allegedly been shot with an AK47 round in the elbow region of his arm, while he was allegedly shot in the leg with a 9m