Police tackle organised crime as cash-in-transit robberies rise in KZN

KwaZulu-Natal is grappling with a significant surge in cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies, prompting urgent calls for law enforcement to tackle the organised nature of these sophisticated crimes. Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has expressed deep concerns about the operational challenges hindering their efforts to combat this persistent criminal threat.

Recent months have seen a notable escalation in CIT incidents, which have left law enforcement agencies on high alert.

Mkhwanazi detailed the systemic issues facing the police, particularly the need for judicial support to better infiltrate criminal networks. “I’m told that the matter has been addressed because we need a judge to be appointed to help us do some of the work that we need to do,” said Mkhwanazi. He indicated that two judges have been shortlisted and are awaiting appointment, a step he regards as critical for progress within the police force.

In addition to these administrative challenges, there is a palpable sense of renewed confidence within the ranks of the crime intelligence management unit.

“Some of the criminals have been identified by our intelligence community in KZN,” Mkhwanazi stated, citing recent arrests in Mpumalanga alongside the recovery of multiple firearms. However, the police suspect that these criminals are part of a broader network, collaborating across provincial lines to orchestrate further robberies.

The dire situation is underscored by recent violent incidents related to CIT robberies. One shocking event near Mid-Illovo resulted in the deaths of four suspects during a confrontation with law enforcement. Mkhwanazi attributed part of the challenge to the existence of splinter groups that continue to emerge from larger criminal organisations.

“The intelligence members that we have in the province are working very hard to recruit sources and informers, who are providing information to the members,” Mkhwanazi noted, reflecting the relentless efforts being made to combat this threat.

However, not all issues stem from external criminal elements; the police are also facing internal challenges. Mkhwanazi pointed to an alarming case involving a recent CIT robbery on the N2, where a cash vehicle broke down due to overheating.

“While the driver was on the phone with the controller, a white vehicle pulled alongside, and armed suspects... overpowered the driver and security crew,” he explained. The subsequent use of explosives to access the cash highlights the audacity of these criminals.

The investigation has expanded to include the driver’s activities leading up to the robbery, raising questions about potential collusion: “When you report a vehicle to have broken down... literally, five minutes later, the vehicle is stopped on the side of the road, and then you report the CIT? When did the criminals know about the breakdown of the car?” Mkhwanazi queried.

Coordination of these robberies frequently involves insiders, whether through employees of cash logistics companies or local businesses, creating a daunting challenge for law enforcement, officials said.