CIT guards pray after surviving heist attempt
A group of guards who survived a harrowing cash-in-transit (CIT) heist attempt along the R538 prayed afterwards.
The incident occurred near Peebles outside White River yesterday afternoon around 14:00.
The incident saw an unknown number of heavily armed robbers ambush a Fidelity CIT truck, only to be met with fierce resistance from the security personnel.
During the incident, two of the robbers were shot, one was declared dead on the scene and the other one was rushed to hospital for treatment under police guard.
Upon realising that the guards were determined to prevent the heist, the remaining robbers fled without taking a cent.
Despite the intensity of the attack, none of the CIT security guards sustained injuries.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Stranded commuters force their way through crime scene near Peebles
As the dust settled, the officers took a moment to bow their heads in prayer, expressing their gratitude for making it through the ordeal unscathed. The incident is a stark reminder of the danger they face daily.Two rifles were later recovered on the scene and a white Ford Ranger was found abandoned in Swalala near Masoyi.
The Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said investigations are ongoing.
'The life of a security guard is indeed in the hands of God the Almighty. When you wake up in the morning as a CIT guard, you obviously don't know if you will return home alive or not,' said pastor Robert Makaringe of the Mkhuhlu Assemblies of God Church, who was at the crime scene last night.
He said security guards involved in transporting cash must pray more than any other person.
ALSO READ: UPDATE | Two shot in attempted cash-in-transit heist
Just imagine what their families are going through just after hearing that there was a cash-in-transit heist somewhere. They obviously panic like there is no tomorrow,' Makaringe said.
Ironically, the police had asked Makaringe to hold tone end of the crime scene tape. The situation highlighted the broader impact of CIT heists, not just on security personnel but also on everyday citizens caught in the crossfire of crime.
The aftermath of the heist attempt led to significant traffic disruptions, with police closing off the road for more than six hours.
Stranded commuters mostly returning from work in White River, Rocky's Drift, Mbombela and other places eventually forced their way through the police barricades.
Mdhluli has urged anyone with information about the attack or the whereabouts of the other suspects to contact the police.
Call your nearest SAPS station or report anonymously through Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or send information via the My SAPS app,' said Mdhluli.
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