CAPE TOWN - There are not enough prosecutions and convictions to deter cash-in-transit (CIT) criminals, who are operating with impunity, says G4S regional cluster director for Southern Africa, Renso Smit.
He made the comments after a CIT guard was shot dead by four robbers who opened fire on three G4S officers in Durban on Monday.
Another guard sustained a serious injury and was airlifted to a nearby private hospital where he was in a critical condition.
“We are devastated at this tragic and senseless loss, and have conveyed our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. This loss of life is especially senseless since all of our cross pavement devices are equipped with technology that renders 100% of the cash unusable when forced open. Our message to would-be criminals is clear, don’t bother attacking our teams because you will get away with nothing of value,” said Smit.
He said violent attacks against CIT guards should be prioritised.
“These are not ordinary criminals; they are well-organised, cold-blooded murderers whose indiscriminate use of weapons continue to take lives and destroy families. The country and the entire private security industry cannot afford to lose more guards to these brutal attacks, and we are therefore calling on the minister of police to take urgent action,” he said.
“To tackle CIT attacks, we believe it is essential that this sort of crime is prioritised; that the CIT task team under the SAPS be reconstituted and bolstered as a matter of urgency, and that the sector works closely with law enforcement and government to tackle this scourge together.”
Cape Times