PROJECT: CASH-IN-TRANSIT (CIT) ROBBERIES IN SOUTH AFRICA
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- Aug 6
- 5 min read
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ORGANISED CRIME, CORRUPTION, AND THE PUSH TOWARDS A CASHLESS SOCIETY
Cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies remain one of the most violent and sophisticated organised crimes in South Africa.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS),
over 200 CIT heists were recorded in the first half of 2025 alone,
many involving the use of high-powered rifles, explosives,
and military-level planning.
This persistent threat is a danger to public safety and national infrastructure and a driving force b
ehind structural shifts in the country’s banking system. The reduction of physical cash infrastructure,
including the closure of hundreds of ATMs
by major banks, highlights a broader transition toward a cashless society,
both as a response to crime and a strategy for future security.
THE SERIOUSNESS OF CIT ROBBERIES:
SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL LOSSES:
Millions of rands are stolen in these robberies annually, undermining the financial stability of businesses and the broader economy.
DANGER TO ROAD USERS:
Armed confrontations often occur in public, putting bystanders, motorists, and security officers at risk.
USE OF ILLEGAL WEAPONS AND VEHICLES:
Perpetrators frequently use stolen cars, false number plates, and unlicensed high-calibre firearms.
USE OF EXPLOSIVES:
Criminals use commercial-grade explosives to breach armoured vehicles, making these incidents especially dangerous and destructive.
ORGANISATION AND CORRUPTION:
ORGANISED SYNDICATES:
These robberies are rarely opportunistic.
Most are executed by highly organised criminal networks that employ military-style tactics and meticulous planning.
CORRUPTION INSIDE THE SYSTEM:
Inside information often plays a role.
There are credible reports and ongoing investigations into corrupt officials in the police, cash-handling companies, and the broader criminal justice system.
LUCRATIVE INCENTIVES:
With the possibility of millions in cash from a single heist, the rewards continue to lure new participants despite the risks.
MODUS OPERANDI:
SURVEILLANCE AND PLANNING:
Syndicates typically spend weeks or even months planning an attack.
They identify delivery routes, security protocols, and ideal ambush locations.
INFORMATION GATHERING:
Through reconnaissance and inside informants.
By mining open-source information, such as social media or public reports.
EXECUTION:
Using stolen vehicles, automatic rifles, road spike traps, and explosive devices, criminals aim to neutralise both physical and armed resistance within minutes.
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORKS AND THEIR ROLE:
PROPOSED FIREARM REGULATIONS:
The government has proposed stricter firearm controls for private security companies.
While intended to curb misuse, critics argue that this could weaken security services’ ability to defend against heavily armed attackers, resulting in job losses and increased vulnerability.
THE POPI ACT:
The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) ensures data privacy but may unintentionally limit the sharing of vital information between banks, security firms, and SAPS in crime prevention efforts.
However, the Act does provide exceptions in cases of protecting the public against financial loss.
THE ROLE OF THE SAPS AND PRIVATE SECURITY:
LIMITED RESOURCES:
The SAPS is under strain, both in terms of manpower and equipment, which slows response times.
DEPENDENCE ON PRIVATE SECURITY:
South Africa has more private security personnel than police officers.
In many areas, private security provides a stronger visible deterrent than the police.
LACK OF FEEDBACK:
Private companies frequently report criminal intelligence to the SAPS, but often see little to no action or follow-up, leading to frustration and distrust.
IMPACT ON BROADER CRIME:
A single CIT robbery often comprises multiple crimes:
Armed robbery.
Hijacking.
Illegal firearm possession.
Unlawful use of explosives.
Attempted murder.
Conspiracy and corruption.
THE SHIFT TOWARDS A CASHLESS SOCIETY:
The surge in violent CIT heists has contributed to banks and retailers accelerating the move toward cashless transactions.
Handling physical cash creates vulnerabilities. In response, banks have:
Shut down hundreds of ATMs, particularly in high-risk areas.
Reduced cash-handling services in branches.
Promoted digital payments and mobile banking alternatives.
DIGITAL SECURITY VS PHYSICAL SAFETY:
Digital transactions reduce the risk of armed robbery and eliminate the need for vulnerable cash transit routes.
They also improve traceability and accountability.
However, it opens the door to cybercrime, a new frontier requiring its own regulations and enforcement capacity.
RURAL AND INFORMAL SECTOR IMPLICATIONS:
Many rural areas still depend heavily on cash for daily survival.
With fewer ATMs and bank branches, people may travel longer distances, increasing their exposure to street crime and exploitation.
In these communities, financial exclusion becomes a real danger as digital infrastructure lags behind.
CIT robberies highlight the interconnectedness of organised crime, financial systems, legislation, and law enforcement.
While moving toward a cashless society may offer a long-term solution to some of the violence and theft associated
with cash handling, it must be done in a way that doesn’t leave vulnerable communities behind.
The solution requires more than removing ATMs or regulating firearms; it demands a coordinated national response
involving better intelligence, stronger public-private cooperation, effective oversight of corruption,
and technological innovation that protects all South Africans.
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.
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Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
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