logo
CIT guards pray after surviving heist attempt

CIT guards pray after surviving heist attempt

The Citizen16-05-2025

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.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Get to know the young men and women in blue during youth month
Get to know the young men and women in blue during youth month

The Citizen

time7 hours ago

  • The Citizen

Get to know the young men and women in blue during youth month

Get to know the young men and women in blue during youth month This year, the South African Police Service (SAPS) joins the country in observing Youth Month by celebrating its young men and women in blue who go above and beyond the call of duty. Today, we introduce the nation to 32-year-old Constable Kgomotso Monnamorwa, an operator attached to the Public Order Policing (POP) Unit in Potchefstroom, North West. Having joined the South African Police Service (SAPS) in 2022, Kgomotso as affectionately known, believes that with an abundance of careers in the Service, one needs just potential and commitment to contribute immensely towards creating a safe and secure environment for the people of South Africa. Monnamorwa who was born and brought up in Mokasa II village, Taung, has been part of the SAPS family for the last three years following her recruitment on 1 April 2022. Ordinarily, working at Public Order Police (POP) has its own challenges, considering that the Unit is primarily responsible for combating crime and maintaining public order. Nevertheless, that did not discourage Monnamorwa to accept with both hands her permanent placement at the POP Unit. When she is not performing crowd management duties or combating crime in the field, the resourceful officer is responsible for the Loss Management and Moveable Government Property duties in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Section. Her duties include but not limited to ensuring that the Unit has enough resources and that the available ones are used optimally and in an accountable manner. Monnamorwa who is also known as 'Momo', obtained her BA Degree in Psychology and Sociology, which she completed in 2019 at North West University. With her determination to equipping herself academically, the member is considering pursuing a career in the Psychology field. She believes that there is so much to learn and is passionately committed about developing herself within the Service and uplifting her fellow members. Having been in the SAPS for three years, Monnamorwa's message to the youth is that: 'There are so many career opportunities within the SAPS; you just need to realise your true potential, study and work smart towards achieving your aspirations. The SAPS does not tie you to the field of work only, but allows you to be in charge of your future while continuing to ensure the safety and security of the community. Be disciplined, accountable and Serve with purpose.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Thabiso Zulu's vindication: Hitman's confession reveals state involvement in Magaqa's assassination
Thabiso Zulu's vindication: Hitman's confession reveals state involvement in Magaqa's assassination

IOL News

time7 hours ago

  • IOL News

Thabiso Zulu's vindication: Hitman's confession reveals state involvement in Magaqa's assassination

. Whistle-blower and former ANC Youth League Harry Gwala region secretary, Thabiso Zulu, testified at the Moerane Commission about Sindiso Magaqa's assassination. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Media A prominent anti-corruption activist, Thabiso Zulu, who was also Sindiso Magaqa's close friend, says he is vindicated by the revelation of the state's hand in the murder of the former ANC Youth League leader. Last week, in his confession under oath in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, the hitman, Sibusiso Ncengwa, revealed shocking details about the role played by the SAPS's Crime Intelligence Unit members in the planning and execution of the killing in 2017. Ncengwa, businessman Mbulelo Mpofana, former policeman Sibonelo Myeza, and Mlungisi Ncalane were arrested in 2018 and charged with Magaqa's murder, who, at the time, was an ANC councillor in Umzimkhulu Local Municipality.. The hitman disclosed the chilling SAPS involvement in the murder as well as the role played by National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) officials in ensuring the case's demise. He also named the late Harry Gwala District Municipality mayor, Mluleki Ndobe, and former Umzimkhulu Local Municipality manager, Zweliphansi Skhosana, as the masterminds, who paid just over a million rand for a hit on Magaqa. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Detailing the police's role, Ncengwa said that, using its slush funds, the police bought the AK-47 that they used to kill Magaqa. He also said they bought a Mercedes-Benz that was used to travel to Umzimkhulu and Durban. He said the police also ensured that no police members would arrest them on their way to Durban on the day of the shooting of Magaqa by escorting their vehicle, adding that the police officer who escorted them was paid R20,000. The hitman provided details about the NPA's involvement, stating that he would have confessed long ago if the agency hadn't attempted to stop him. He told the police officer in 2019 that he wanted to confess, but the NPA dismissed the prosecutor because it believed he would permit the confession, especially the one that implicated the police. The State accepted Ncengwa's guilty plea and would be sentenced at the end of the month. Reacting to the revelation, Zulu said he was not surprised and felt vindicated when he saw the hitman's confession because it was the same information he had gone public with. 'This is the same information I publicly revealed after the killing and even went to the Moerane Commission with. I always maintained that Magaqa was assassinated by the state, so the hitman's confession vindicates me,' said Zulu Magaqa's family spokesperson Dr Lwazi Magaqa said the family is in a bereavement for another death and was not able to speak about the matter for now. Dr Lwazi Magaqa, a spokesperson for the Magaqa family, stated that the family is grieving the loss of another member and is unable to discuss the situation at this time. The NPA and the SAPS are yet to comment on their alleged involvement. Speaking on a TV interview on Monday night, Zulu called for the arrest of all the people named by the hitman in his confession.

Man's body found floating in stream
Man's body found floating in stream

The Citizen

time11 hours ago

  • The Citizen

Man's body found floating in stream

BOIPATONG – Residents of Boipatong woke up to a chilling scene when the lifeless body of an unknown African man was discovered floating in a partially iced stream. On June 9, dozens of bystanders braved the cold weather and drizzling showers to watch as local police and emergency services retrieved the body from murky water. When Ster arrived at the scene, the remains of the deceased were floating face upwards, with both his hands over his body. Speaking to the paper, Boipatong police spokesperson Constable Selina Mthimkhulu said their members were called shortly after 06:00. 'On arrival, our officers cordoned off the scene and walked towards the bridge where the body of an unknown African male was found lying dead.' Members from the SAPS water wing, led by Warrant Officer Vermeulen, helped to retrieve the body. 'The man was wearing a brown jersey, blue Fabian T-shirt, blue jeans, and a grey all-star tekkie,' Mthimkhulu said. Medical personnel on the scene confirmed the man had visible bruises on both jaws, raising suspicions of foul play. Mthimkhulu confirmed further investigations are underway. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store