Security officer injured in dramatic Midway Mall cash heist in Newlands West, Durban
The damaged cash-in-transit vehicle outside Midway Mall following a violent heist on Tuesday in Newlands West.
Image: KZN VIP Medics
A security officer was shot and wounded when a cash-in-transit vehicle was targeted in a violent heist outside Midway Mall on Tuesday afternoon in Newlands West, Durban.
KZN VIP said in a statement that its emergency team among others responded swiftly following multiple calls from distressed members of the public.
It said upon arrival, responders secured the scene and located the injured officer near the informal trading area, suffering from a gunshot wound. Medics stabilised the officer at the scene before transporting him to a nearby medical facility for further treatment.
Provincial police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda told East Coast Radio Newswatch that the suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash and valuables.
“Armed suspects reportedly jammed the cash delivery vehicle, fired shots towards the truck, and robbed the security guard of his firearm. One security guard was injured during the incident and was taken to hospital for further medical treatment. An off-duty police officer who was on his way home was robbed of his firearm,” said Netshiunda.
Some onlookers tried to gather the scattered cash after the suspects had fled the scene.
Image: KZN VIP Medics
During the incident, three vehicles were damaged. The suspects used explosives to blow up the cash-in-transit vehicle while they also opened fire on two other vehicles.
Some members of the public were seen trying to grab scattered money near the damaged vehicle. The police have previously warned that members of the public should not try to recover this money as it is a criminal offence. They also warned that there was also a safety risk due to the use of explosives.
Investigations are ongoing.