DURBAN – Shocking footage has emerged from a brazen cash-in-transit heist near Midway Mall in Newlands West, where armed suspects bombed a van and fled with an undisclosed sum, leaving a trail of chaos and fear.
The dramatic video, now circulating widely on social media, captures one suspect – clad in dark clothing and a balaclava – forcing a disarmed security guard to squat helplessly under a vending gazebo. “Squatting laag!” the gunman barks in a mix of English and local slang, his rifle trained on the terrified guard who complies without resistance. The guard, identified only as part of the Fidelity security team, had his weapon seized moments earlier amid the explosion’s smoke and debris.
The attack unfolded around midday on a bustling Friday near the mall, a popular hub for shoppers in Durban’s Newlands West suburb. Eyewitnesses described hearing a deafening blast as the gang used explosives to rip open the armoured van, scattering cash and igniting panic. “It was like a movie – bombs, guns, everything,” said local vendor Sipho Mthembu, who filmed the ordeal from his nearby stall.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbatha confirmed three suspects remain at large, with KZN Crime Intelligence deploying drones and roadblocks in pursuit. “This syndicate is sophisticated and ruthless; we’re urging the public to come forward with tips,” she said.
In a city grappling with rampant cash heist violence – over 200 incidents nationwide last year – residents are calling for divine intervention and tougher measures. “Psalm 91 reminds us God is our refuge in such storms,” tweeted local pastor Zanele Nkosi. As Newlands West prays for justice, the video stands as a stark reminder: crime preys on the vulnerable, but faith and unity can prevail.