Evaluation of multifaceted holistic measures and strategies for combating cash-in-transit heists in South Africa

Abstract

In recent years, South Africa has witnessed a rise in diverse criminal activities, including violent crime, armed robbery, domestic violence, rape, heists, murder, drug abuse, theft, organised crime, cybercrime, social media offences, gangsterism, ritual killings, cultism, smuggling, the import and sale of contraband, and human and drug trafficking. Enhancing the abilities and competencies of criminal justice officials responsible for preventing, reducing, investigating, and prosecuting crime is crucial for achieving success in the fight against crime. This study seeks to discover comprehensive tools and techniques to reduce cash-in-transit robbery thefts in South Africa. A mixed-method approach was employed for data collecting, integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies, such as interviews and questionnaires. Findings indicated alarming escalations in violent crime and cash-in-transit heists in South Africa. Technological improvements and inventions have led to an increase in sophisticated criminal activities both in South Africa and elsewhere. Cash-in-transit crime adversely impacts the nation's economy, leading to significant financial losses for institutions and resulting in numerous fatalities. It is essential to analyse the root causes of cash-in-transit crimes to implement preventive measures; hence, enhancing the capacity of police, law enforcement, and private security personnel to collect and utilise intelligence is necessary for the prevention and reduction of cash-in-transit robberies. Intelligence-led policing techniques should be implemented to target criminals and mitigate cash-in-transit crime in South African communities, as well as to prosecute offenders. Moreover, the implementation of multifaceted and holistic strategies, including spatial and crime mapping, focused deterrence, the prediction of prolific offenders, the identification and targeting of repeat offenders, crime intelligence, community intelligence, and inter-agency collaboration, is essential for an expedited response to crime incidents, as well as for the prevention and reduction of crime, investigation, prosecution, and sentencing of cash-in-transit heist offenders. It is essential for the criminal justice system, law enforcement, and security agencies to adopt intelligence-driven community policing, a holistic approach that prioritises the identification and prevention of habitual offenders, focussing on groups that pose a threat to the community. It utilises community intelligence in conjunction with other intelligence-driven policing techniques and approaches to combat crime and criminal activities.

Keywords: {'name': 'Analyzing, Cash in Transit Robberies, Combating, Identifying, Heist, Holistic Measures, Multifaceted, Violence Crimes and South Africa'}

Authors & affiliations

Chiji Longinus Ezeji
Affiliation not supplied

Dominique Emmanuel Uwizeyimana
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

DOI: 10.1177/1362480609356671

Arrive Alive. (2025). CIT heist leaves two security officers injured on the R74 in Stanger. https://buff.ly/twWUvzs#ArriveAlive #CITRobbery #OfficersInjured IPSS Medical Rescue.

DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031914-122444

DOI: 10.1080/07418825.2012.673632

Burchell, J., & Milton, J. (2007). South African criminal law and procedure (Eds.). Cape Town: Juta and Co.

DOI: 10.1023/B:CRIM.0000037557.42894.f7

Clark, R. V., & Cornish, V. (2003). Policing and prevention of terrorism. Westport, Conn: Prager Security International.

Clark, R. V., & Eck, J. (2003). Becoming a problem-solving crime analyst in small steps. London: Dando Institute.

DOI: 10.2307/2094589

DOI: 10.1080/07418820802427817

Department of Safety and Security. (1996). White paper on Safety and Security. Available in the Government Gazette. Pretoria: Government Printer.

DOI: 10.1515/9780804785419

DOI: 10.26772/cijds-2021-04-02-012

Ezeji, C. L. (2024). Evaluation of community intelligence and interagency synergies as a proficient strategy for addressing crime in South African communities. Hong Kong Journal of Social Sciences, 64(1), 135-165. https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.64.16.

DOI: 10.36096/ijbes.v6i5.688

Ezeji, C. L. (2024). Intelligence-driven community policing: Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), Republic of South Africa concept registration, (2024/02388). Available at: https://www.cipc.co.za.

DOI: 10.4324/9781315267456

DOI: 10.1111/1745-9125.12055

DOI: 10.1017/CBO9780511489334.008

Laws of South Africa. (1997). Criminal Procedure Act, CPA ACT 51, 1977. Dealing with the procedure criminal justice will adopt in dealing with crime. Available in the Government Gazette. Pretoria: Government Printer.

Laws of South Africa. (2008). South African Police Service Acts, 57, 2008. Section 2 dealing with organized crime. Available in the Government Gazette. Pretoria: Government Printer.

National Crime Prevention Strategy. (1996). Department of Safety and Security. The National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS). Pretoria: Government Printer.

Naude, B., Prinsloo, J., & Mbambo, B. (2005). Beyond retribution: Prospects for a restorative justice system in South Africa. Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies.

Neuman, W. (2009). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (Eds.). Boston: Mass Allyn & Bacon. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98067-7.

Olutola, A. A. (2011). Crime prevention and the criminal justice of Nigeria and South Africa: A comparative perspective. Pretoria: Tshwane University of Technology. https://doi.org/10.25159/0256-8845/1521.

Osborne, D. (2006). Out of bounds, innovation and change in law enforcement intelligence analysts. Washington DC: Joint Military Intelligence Institute.

Peak, K. J. (2016). Campus policing. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice Press.

PMG. (2018). Cash in transit heists: SAPS and stakeholders on combating measures; Meeting with the minister of police. Parliamentary Monitoring Group. Retrieved from https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/26644/.

DOI: 10.1177/0032258X0007300203

Primoratz, I. (2011). Routledge Handbook of Punishment and Terrorism (Eds.). Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.

PSIRA. (2001). Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA). PSIRA established by the Private Security Industry Regulation Act 56 of 2001, South Africa.

DOI: 10.1080/15614260500433038

Ratcliffe, J. H. (2014). What is the future of predicting policing? Journal of Translational Criminology, 20(1), 40-45. https://doi.org/10.1177/1360230714533408.

DOI: 10.1093/police/pau032

DOI: 10.4324/9781315717579

Reisig, M. D., & Kane, R. J. (2014). The Oxford Handbook of Police and Policing. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199843886.001.0001.

SABRIC. (2023). Cash-in-transit crime statistics for 2024. South African Banking Risk Information Centre. https://www.sabric.co.za/media-and-news/press-releases.

SABRIC. (2024). Cash-in-transit crime statistics for 2024. South African Banking Risk Information Centre. https://www.sabric.co.za/media-and-news/press-releases.

SAPS Crime Statistics (2023). First and second quarter (July 2023 to September 2023). Retrieved from https://www.saps.gov.za/services/downloads/2023-2024_2nd_Quarter_WEB.pdf.

SAPS Crime Statistics (2023). Third Quarter (October 2023 to December 2023). Retrieved from https://www.saps.gov.za/services/downloads/2023-2024_-_3nd_Quarter_WEB.pdf.

SAPS. (2013). South African Police Act definition of robbery as the unlawful and intentional forceful removal and appropriation of movable tangible property belonging to another. Laws of South Africa. https://www.saps.gov.za.

DOI: 10.5204/qutlr.v3i2.144

DOI: 10.1177/1043986214525082

DOI: 10.1177/1043986214525082

Shields Business Solutions. (2024). Shields Business Solutions and Egis Capital Partners announce partnership. USA: Cision US Inc.

Siegel, L. (2005). Introduction to Criminal Justice (Eds.). USA: Thompson Wadsworth.

DOI: 10.52922/ti285325

Smith, T., & Tilly, Y. N. (2005). Community policing, problem-oriented policing, and intelligence-led policing handbook. Cullompton, Devon: Wilian Publishing.

South Africa, Department of Safety and Security. (1997). Community policing: Policy framework for community policing. Pretoria: Government Printer.

South Africa. (1996). Department of Safety and Security. White Paper on Safety and Security: The National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS). Pretoria: Government Printer.

Statistics South Africa (2008). Act that deals with organized crime. Section 2 of SAPS Acts, 57 (2008). https://www.saps.gov.za/services/crimestats.php.

Statistics South Africa (2024). Cash in transit robbery statistic. https://www.saps.gov.za/services/crimestats.php.

Tabloidmedia. (2025). Increase in CIT heist in KZN. Retrieved from https://tabloidmedia.co.za/increase-in-cit-heist-in-kzn.

Thobane, M. S. (2014). The criminal career of armed robbers with specific reference to cash-in-transit robberies. Pretoria: University of South Africa. https://uir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/18353.

Townsley, M., & Pease, J. (2002). Problem orientation, problem-solving, and organizational changes. Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press.

DOI: 10.1177/0002716203262548

DOI: 10.1177/14613557231184696