Cash-in-transit heist claims Sheppie man’s life

A young Port Shepstone motorist was shot dead after cash-in-transit thugs blew up an armoured vehicle on the N2 near Ifafa a week ago.

At the time, Caylin Lee Naidoo (23) of Palmview was on his way home from Durban. He had fetched his uncle Ruben Naidoo from Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital where he had an angiogram.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said: “Police are investigating a murder and cash-in-transit robbery. Information indicates that a cash delivery truck was travelling on the N2 when suspects, who were travelling in three vehicles, opened fire until the cash delivery truck came to a standstill. During the robbery, a motorist who was driving by was shot and killed. The suspects disarmed the security guards and fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money. A manhunt for the suspects has been launched.”

Gavin Black, an advanced life support paramedic for Mi7 who was on the scene, said three guards sustained minor injuries, with one having been assaulted by the perpetrators. All three were transported to hospital by Mi7.

According to Ruben, for most of the trip, he was drowsy, but he woke up when he heard Caylin shout ‘Stay down, stay down’.

“We were still moving, I turned and looked at Caylin, I saw that a bullet had struck him in the head. He looked at me, he smiled and went back into his seat. I didn’t know what to do. I was in shock and screamed for him to wake up. I barely took control of the bakkie and saw the robbers coming towards us. I steered away and managed to keep the vehicle on the road and brought it to a stop.”

Ruben feared for his life and got out and hid. He said the armed robbers came to the bakkie, looked around, and left.

“After they left, I went back to the bakkie and phoned my brother, Devan, Caylin’s dad. He alerted the police and ambulance services. It all happened so fast. I asked people for help, but everyone was afraid. Even some police and traffic officials were too afraid after witnessing what had happened. This ordeal will remain with me for life. Caylin and I were close friends and shared a strong bond. How does one cope with this sort of ordeal?,” said Ruben.

As Caylin’s bakkie had been fitted with emergency breakdown lights, it is believed ‘the robbers mistook it for a security vehicle’.

Speaking to the Herald last Monday, Caylin’s mum, Jenny and father, Devan, said their son matriculated from Port Shepstone Secondary.

“He was a loving child to us and his brother Kreneshen. He loved his family and friends dearly. He never said no to anyone and always assisted family and friends. There was never a sad moment in his life. He was kind-hearted and showed warmth to many,” said his mother.

She added that just a week before the incident, the family had conducted the yearly prayer ceremony for his grandmother, and a week later, they had to bury Caylin.

“My son loved cars from an early age. He owned a BMW E30 325i, which was his pride and joy. He had won many competitions at car shows in KZN. His car was selected to be featured in the Gas Motorshow, which he looked forward to in June. We are devastated as a family, and we are in shock right now. How will we get justice; justice won’t bring my child back.”

Police have yet to make arrests.

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