KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has praised crime intelligence officers for tracking down suspects believed to be involved in a cash-in-transit heist on the M25 near Phoenix on Monday afternoon.
The operation led to a deadly shootout in Bonella, outside Durban’s CBD, where five suspects were fatally shot by police.
Heist During Peak Traffic
The suspects allegedly ambushed a cash van during rush hour, fleeing with an undisclosed sum of money. Mkhwanazi revealed that investigators are probing potential collusion between security personnel and cash-in-transit robbers.
“This group, known for similar heists in Gauteng, traveled to KwaZulu-Natal to carry out Monday’s attack. These crimes aren’t random—there are often insiders involved. In this case, police had intelligence about a potential attack and monitored the security vehicle. However, the crew unexpectedly decided to drive off, only to be ambushed. This suggests a well-coordinated plan,” he explained.
Police Thwart Further Heist
According to Mkhwanazi, the slain suspects were planning another heist in northern Durban but were intercepted before executing their plan.
“The team had intelligence that they were preparing for another robbery. Increased police presence, roadblocks, and stop-and-search operations disrupted their plans. They postponed the attack, but before they could regroup, our officers caught up with them,” he added.
With investigations ongoing, police remain on high alert to curb further cash-in-transit crimes in the province.