a brazen daylight attack, two women were shot during a violent cash-in-transit (CIT) heist outside the Standard Bank branch in downtown Witbank (eMalahleni), Mpumalanga, this morning. The incident unfolded around 8:28 AM on Eadie Street, sending shockwaves through the community as gunfire echoed near bustling shops and schools.
Security guards from IZI Security had just pulled up to the bank when three armed suspects approached, demanding the cash load. Shots rang out indiscriminately, fatally wounding one guard who was hit five times, while a nearby teacher sustained a leg injury and two other women were also hurt in the chaos. A 12-year-old learner from Siyabuswa, accompanying the teacher, escaped into the bank but suffered minor abrasions amid the panic.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of horror, with bystanders frozen as paramedics and police swarmed the area. Three vehicles were damaged in the fierce shootout, and the robbers fled in a silver Volkswagen Jetta, escaping with an undisclosed amount of money. No arrests have been made yet, but authorities have launched a manhunt, recovering shell casings and appealing for dashcam footage.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selina Molefe confirmed the investigation is underway, urging residents to remain vigilant against the rising tide of CIT robberies plaguing the province. This heist highlights the dangers faced by security teams and innocent civilians in high-risk areas like Witbank’s CBD.
As the community reels, local leaders call for bolstered patrols. “Our streets must be safe for all,” said Witbank mayor Thulani Mkhize. Investigations continue, with updates expected soon