A brazen cash-in-transit heist unfolded on the N2 highway near the NPC Cement Factory in KwaZulu-Natal this morning, plunging commuters into chaos and shutting down the vital route. According to reports from ALS Paramedics, armed suspects ambushed a cash van, unleashing a hail of gunfire that left two security guards wounded—one in critical condition and awaiting airlift to a hospital.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of pandemonium as explosions rocked the area, scattering cash across the roadway and drawing opportunistic looters before police intervened. The southbound lanes near Durban were swiftly closed, with traffic diverted to alternate routes like the R102, causing massive backups for morning rush-hour drivers. ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson confirmed paramedics treated multiple casualties on-site, stabilizing the guards amid ongoing crossfire risks.
KwaZulu-Natal police have launched a manhunt for an unknown number of suspects who fled with an undisclosed sum and the guards’ firearms. Forensics teams combed the site, where strewn money and blast debris painted a grim picture of the robbery’s ferocity. This incident echoes a pattern of violent CIT heists plaguing South African highways, raising urgent concerns over security for cash transport convoys.
Motorists are urged to avoid the N2 and use apps like Google Maps for real-time updates. Authorities warn of heightened police presence as investigations continue. The critically injured guard’s airlift underscores the human cost of these audacious crimes, with communities praying for his recovery.
In a nation grappling with economic strain, such heists not only disrupt daily life but erode public trust in road safety. Stay tuned for suspect updates—justice must prevail