1 killed, 6 shot in New Germany CIT heist

Two security guards were shot and an unknown man was killed during a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist in New Germany, KZN, last night.

Four other people, believed to be bystanders, were also shot and injured.

Pinetown SAPS communications officer Jennifer Naidu says the guards’ vehicle was coming from a garage in Florida Road in Musgrave, Durban, and heading to the depot in New Germany.

It is alleged that when the vehicle was driving along Otto Volek Road in New Germany, a white Isuzu bakkie approached and an unknown number of gunmen started shooting at the guards’ vehicle, says Naidu.

“The driver was alone in the front, with his crew at the back. Shots were fired at the guards’ vehicle until it came to a stop. According to the guards, the [gunmen] were shooting at anything that was disturbing them.”

Naidu says when the vehicle came to a halt, the shooters ordered the occupants to get out.

“It was then that the driver realised that he had been shot in the left leg, just above the inner ankle.

“The [gunmen] got into the vehicle and stole an undisclosed amount of money. Two injured security guards were taken to hospital. Next to the scene was a small vehicle with an unknown deceased man who had cash in his hands. It is unclear if he was among the [shooters],” says Naidu.

ALS Paramedics Garrith Jamieson says paramedics responded to the scene after receiving numerous calls of a CIT robbery.

“They found SAPS already in attendance. They were shown to three people at the initial active crime scene; two of them were security officers who had sustained injuries from assault and gunshot wounds.

“The unknown person sustained gunshot wounds to his upper body and unfortunately there was nothing they could do for him. He was declared dead on scene,” says Jamieson.

He said it is alleged that four other people were shot in the crossfire.