Motorists travelling through Durban on Wednesday morning faced major disruptions after a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery turned violent on the N2 southbound highway.
According to early reports, suspected robbers targeted a cash-in-transit vehicle in the early hours of the morning, detonating explosives on the highway before engaging security guards in a shootout. The incident unfolded near the M7 Edwin Swales off-ramp, a busy stretch used daily by commuters and freight traffic moving through the Durban corridor.
Videos circulating on social media show gunfire erupting on the highway while residents living near the route watched the incident unfold. In one clip, a resident can be heard describing the attackers firing heavily at the guards.
Emergency services responded quickly to the scene.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson confirmed that two security guards sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the robbery.
“One of the guards was critically injured and a Netcare 911 helicopter was activated to airlift him rapidly to a nearby hospital,” Jamieson said. “The second security officer suffered serious injuries and was stabilised at the scene before being transported to hospital by ambulance.”
The violent robbery forced authorities to shut down the N2 southbound from the M7 Edwin Swales off-ramp while police and forensic teams processed the crime scene.
The closure caused severe traffic congestion during the early morning peak, affecting both commuters and heavy-duty trucks moving in and out of Durban’s port and industrial areas. The N2 is a key freight artery linking the harbour with major transport routes into KwaZulu-Natal and beyond, meaning even short disruptions can quickly lead to long queues of trucks.
At this stage, police have not confirmed whether any suspects were arrested or how much cash may have been taken during the heist. Investigations into the robbery are ongoing.
Authorities have urged motorists to remain cautious in the area while the scene is cleared and traffic conditions return to normal.
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