A huge group of people forced their way through a police crime scene tape on foot, scooters and vehicles after the R538 near White River was closed for more than six hours last night.

This as police and forensic teams were combing the scene of an attempted cash-in-transit (CIT) heist that occurred at the Peebles junction outside White River yesterday around 14:00. The road was closed until just after 22:00.

An unknown number of heavily armed robbers attacked a Fidelity CIT truck only to be met with heavy retaliation from security guards.

In the process one of the armed robbers was shot dead and another one sustained injuries. He was rushed to hospital where he is said to be in a stable condition under police guard.

No injuries were reported on any of the security guards.

ALSO READ: UPDATE | Two shot in attempted cash-in-transit heist

“Two rifles were recovered at the scene, while a Ford Ranger reportedly used by the suspects was later found abandoned in Swalala near Masoyi. According to our initial investigations, no money was stolen during this attempted robbery,” said a Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.

He requested that anyone with information that might assist in the investigations come forward. “Contact the SAPS or report anonymously through Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send information via My SAPS app. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous,” said Mdhluli.

Stranded commuters coming from White River’s direction formed a crowd near the scene to watch the police collecting evidence.

Most of these people stay in settlements such as Mganduzweni, Swalala, Phola, Mgcobanini, Chochocho, Mahushu, Mshadza, Dayizenze and others.

Sometime around 21:00 the people started shouting at the police asking them to, at least, open a single lane for the commuters to be able to use the road. “Some of us have chronic diseases and the time for our medication has already passed. We are very hungry and tired because we are returning from work. We have left our small children at home. Just open a lane for us please,” a woman shouted at the cops.

The police refused and asked the people to be patient. A man crossed the police tape and approached the officers to pass on a message that people were threatening to force their way through the scene. Then the entire crowd forced their way past the tape.

The police were forced to make a human chain to prevent the people and vehicles from passing, but they were forced back bit by bit until they were only a few metres from the crime scene.

It was only after 22:00 that the road was eventually opened and people were able to go home.

In the meantime, motorists who were driving from Hazyview towards White River were also stranded, but this only became clear later as they were stopped around a curve.