Police have launched an extensive manhunt following a brazen and deadly cash-in-transit (CIT) heist that claimed the life of a local resident along the R510 road between Rustenburg and Northam, close to Dikweipi Village near Mogwase.
The dramatic incident unfolded at around 5:15 p.m. on Friday, 19 December 2025, when a cash-in-transit armoured vehicle travelling from Northam toward Rustenburg encountered a suspicious scene. According to preliminary police accounts, security officers noticed a vehicle smouldering in the middle of the road. Suspecting it was linked to a community protest, the guards decided to avoid the area by diverting through Dikweipi Village.
As the armoured van slowed down to manoeuvre through the alternative route, it was suddenly ambushed. A group of heavily armed attackers opened fire on the vehicle, wounding the driver and plunging the scene into chaos. Amid the gunfire, one of the suspects allegedly overpowered a security officer, stealing his 9mm service pistol along with ammunition.
The attack escalated further when the suspects detonated explosives attached to the cash-in-transit vehicle. Residents reported thunderous blasts that echoed across nearby villages, sending shockwaves through the community as thick plumes of smoke rose into the sky.
Police say the suspects arrived and fled the scene in a white Toyota GD6 bakkie and a Toyota Fortuner, into which they loaded an undisclosed amount of cash. During the robbery, an unidentified man from the community reportedly approached the suspects, apparently trying to help collect money scattered by the explosion. Tragically, one of the robbers allegedly shot him at point-blank range. He died at the scene before paramedics could arrive. His identity has not yet been released, as authorities are still notifying his next of kin.
The injured security officer was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. His condition remains unknown at this stage.
In the wake of the attack, residents of Dikweipi Village expressed deep shock and fear, describing the robbery as daring, violent, and carefully orchestrated. Community leaders have since urged law enforcement to strengthen patrols and visibility along major routes frequently targeted by cash-in-transit gangs.
Police have confirmed that investigations into both the murder and the armed robbery are ongoing. Forensic teams and specialised units have been deployed to trace the suspects, recover stolen firearms, and track down the stolen cash. No arrests have been made so far.
Authorities are appealing to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the South African Police Service or provide tips anonymously through Crime Stop. Police have also warned the public to stay away from crime scenes, especially during active robberies, stressing that such situations pose extreme and potentially fatal risks.
