Cash-in-transit robberies fell 13% to 180 in 2025, but Citasa warns violent tactics are escalating

180 cash-in-transit robberies were recorded from 1 January to 21 December 2025, a 13% decrease on the same period in 2024, according to the Cash-in-Transit Association of South Africa (Citasa), IOL reported.

"The number of CIT robberies decreased by 13% when comparing January to December 21, 2025, with the same period in 2024," said Citasa head Grant Clark.

Gauteng overtook KwaZulu-Natal as the province with the most CIT robberies in 2025, reversing the 2024 ranking, while the Eastern Cape recorded a year-on-year decrease. 58% of civilian casualties in CIT incidents occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, and some perpetrators died from their own explosives during 2025 attacks.

Clark said combined ramming and shooting at armoured vehicles remained the dominant modus operandi, alongside the use of explosives and the hijacking of bystanders' vehicles as blocking or getaway cars.

KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi engaged SABRIC and the South African Reserve Bank to explore alternative methods of safeguarding money. Citasa's countermeasures include additional surveillance during services, armoured vehicles, bullet-resistant clothing, training and firearms, with draft assets-in-transit regulations published to guide the industry.

Source: IOL, 30 December 2025 - iol.co.za