Johannesburg CIT Heist Fails as Criminals Bomb Empty Money Truck on Main Reef Road

Robertsville, Johannesburg — A daring cash-in-transit (CIT) heist went up in smoke on Saturday morning, 4 October 2025, when a group of heavily armed suspects bombed an empty money truck on Main Reef Road between Nadine and Robert Streets.

Eyewitnesses say the dramatic attack unfolded just after dawn, involving multiple vehicles — including a silver Audi A4, white BMW, and a VW Amarok bakkie — which were used to block the road and surround the armored van before it was blown open.

However, to the robbers’ shock, the money truck was empty.

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Heist Gone South — “Zero Cash!”

What appeared to be a meticulously planned ambush turned into a major blunder for the suspects. When the smoke cleared, the assailants discovered no cash inside the vehicle.

“They blasted the van wide open, thinking they’d hit the jackpot,” said one resident who witnessed the chaos. “But there was nothing — zero. They torched one of their cars and sped off empty-handed.”

Emergency services arrived swiftly, finding the armored vehicle engulfed in flames. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze while police secured the scene and began gathering evidence.

Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported among guards, emergency personnel, or civilians.

Police Launch Manhunt

Authorities have confirmed that the suspects fled in the three vehicles, which are now the focus of a manhunt. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage and canvassing nearby businesses for leads.

“The suspects used explosives to access the vehicle, but there was no cash in transit at the time,” said Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Col. Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi. “We urge anyone with information or sightings of the vehicles to come forward immediately.”

Police are also investigating whether the same group is linked to a series of recent CIT robberies in Gauteng, many of which have followed similar patterns involving high-speed luxury vehicles and coordinated roadside ambushes.

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Growing CIT Crime Concern

Cash-in-transit crimes remain one of South Africa’s most persistent organized crime threats, with syndicates often using military-style explosives and precision tactics. However, the latest incident shows that even well-planned heists can backfire when inside information is inaccurate.

Residents of Robertsville say the explosion shook nearby homes and sent plumes of smoke into the early morning sky — a jarring reminder of Johannesburg’s ongoing battle with violent crime.