One of the top cash management companies in SA is asking the public to assist it with information to nab the perpetrators of cash-in-transit armed robberies.
G4S Cash Solutions is offering a R100,000 reward to those who come forward with the information.
This as the number of cash-in-transit attacks remain high.
Its managing director, Amit Devir, said the information should be credible, useful and of assistance in the arrest and prosecution of those behind the attacks in and around Mthatha.
“We have seen a significant rise in attacks in the Eastern Cape over the past three months and are making it a priority to ensure these criminals are held to account,” Devir said.
“CIT [cash-in-transit] attacks are becoming more violent in nature, which puts our people and members of the public in danger.
“We need the local community and anyone with any information related to these attacks to come forward to help us and law enforcement to catch these criminals.”
He urged anyone with information to contact the company. The information could also be shared anonymously, or on record, Devir said.
He said all information would be shared with the appropriate law enforcement agencies, with which G4S was co-operating.
Three months ago, two men believed to have been behind several CIT heists in the Eastern Cape were convicted by the high court in Makhanda.
Lwando Ntiyantiya, 36, and Nkosekhaya Llyod, 38, were found guilty of four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, three counts of attempted murder and three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
They were arrested after a heist in March 2022 in Centane in which a G4S vehicle had been targeted.
On Thursday, Devir said while the company could not share operational information for security reasons, the CIT industry as a whole was experiencing a marked increase in robberies over the past 12 months.
He said according to the latest industry figures, current hotspots for CIT attacks were the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
On CIT attacks on G4S vehicles, Devir said: “Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries have been experienced.
“However there has been substantial damage to armoured vehicles.
“For G4S, ensuring the safety of our people and their wellbeing is a constant priority.
“This is especially critical given the nature of their work and the daily risks they face.
“It is for this reason that we invest significantly, and on an ongoing basis, in equipping our frontline personnel with the necessary training, vehicles and equipment and tactical support they require for their protection.”
He said the CIT industry played a vital role in SA in ensuring cash was able to move freely and safely across the economy.
“We remain deeply concerned over the co-ordinated and violent nature of CIT crime in the country.
“The best deterrent against this crime is for criminals to know that they will be arrested, convicted and sent to prison. Unfortunately, that is not happening.”
Devir called on law enforcement agencies and the National Prosecuting Authority to prioritise CIT crime prevention by ensuring the arrest and prosecution of those implicated.
He said it was critical that criminals were sent a clear message that the state would not tolerate crime.
Those with information were urged to contact Steven Kruger on 083-269-3403 or email investigation@za.g4s.com.
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