Cash-in-transit heists on the rise: SABRIC
The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) has expressed concern at the rise in cash-in-transit heists, following last night's daring heist at OR Tambo International Airport.
Armed suspects allegedly stole R24 million in US dollars from the restricted section of the cargo area of the airport where cargo was being prepared to be transported on an SAA aircraft.
"The brazenness of the criminals involved, as well as the ease with which access was gained to such a secure area is of huge concern to us", says SABRIC CEO Kalyani Pillay.
Pillay says it is evident that the heist was executed using accurate information, which resulted in the criminals getting away with millions of rand in cash.
She says this incident exacerbates an already dire situation of attacks on cash-in-transit vehicles and staff.
SABRIC, which is a company formed by South African banks to support the banking industry in the combating of crime, recorded 269 cash-in-transit incidents in 2016 nationally, compared to 249 incidents in 2015.
Pillay says 57 incidents have been recorded so far for 2017.
"We know that syndicates perpetrating these kinds of crimes are highly-skilled and organised. We trust that law enforcement authorities will make an early breakthrough in their investigations and bring the criminals responsible to book," says Pillay.