Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal — Three suspected cash-in-transit robbers were shot dead following a violent shootout with police and private security officers in Umlazi, south of Durban. The deadly incident unfolded after suspects used explosives to blow open a cash-in-transit vehicle near Mega City, triggering a rapid police response and a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The suspects allegedly cornered the cash-in-transit vehicle at approximately 18:00 on the M4 off-ramp towards Mega City. After using explosives to breach the vehicle and steal the cash, a shootout ensued when law enforcement arrived on the scene.
South African Police Service KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the details of the attack at the scene. He noted that police reacted swiftly to the robbery, leading to the exchange of gunfire that left three suspects fatally wounded. Colonel Netshiunda also clarified an earlier initial report, confirming the death toll was three suspects, rather than four.
Following the shootout, the surviving suspects fled the immediate area. Colonel Netshiunda explained that they abandoned their initial vehicle further down the road before hijacking a second vehicle to make their escape.
Inside the abandoned vehicle, police recovered a firearm and cash believed to have been stolen during the robbery. In total, investigators recovered four firearms, which included three rifles and a pistol, along with ammunition.
Colonel Netshiunda confirmed that no police officers sustained physical injuries during the shootout. However, he emphasized that all officers involved in the exchange of gunfire would be assessed both physically and mentally. He noted that facing live fire is not a normal part of the job, and the police service would ensure the officers receive the necessary psychological support.
ALS paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson provided details regarding the medical response. He stated that two private security guards sustained minor to moderate injuries during the incident.
According to Jamieson, the guards were not injured by gunfire, but rather sustained their injuries during the scuffle and the bombing that occurred when the vehicle was blown up. Both guards were treated at the scene by paramedics and transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition.
Jamieson noted that paramedics were only able to enter the area once police declared it safe. Upon arrival, crews observed numerous individuals attempting to loot the remnants of the crime scene. While treating the two security guards, paramedics were alerted to three men suffering from multiple gunshot wounds a short distance away. A second medical team was dispatched to that location, where the three men were declared deceased.
The crime scene remained active for several hours as forensic teams collected critical evidence. Officers from the explosives unit swept the area to ensure no live explosives or secondary devices remained, eventually giving the all-clear.
At the time of the report, the destroyed cash-in-transit vehicle was still lying on the roadway, obstructing one lane in a poorly lit section of the road. Police had cordoned off the entire section while forensics wrapped up their work, with the road expected to reopen within 30 minutes to an hour.
Despite the police cordon, groups of people were seen waiting in the shadows, anticipating the moment the area was cleared so they could move in on whatever was left behind.
The incident caused severe traffic disruptions in the area. The M4 off-ramp is a busy industrial corridor that serves as a primary entry point into Umlazi township via the South Coast Road. The nearby Mega City shopping centre is a major hub for residents across southern Durban.
Motorists travelling between Umlazi, the Durban central business district, and the southern parts of the province were forced to seek alternative routes while the road remained closed. Drivers were advised to plan for significant delays until police formally lifted the cordon and reopened the roadway.
The investigation into the Umlazi cash-in-transit robbery remains ongoing as police continue to track the suspects who fled in the hijacked vehicle.
