An Insight into the Modus Operandi of the Dastardly Criminal Acts of the Cash Transit (CIT) Robbers in South Africa

Abstract

The brutal and heartless way cash transit robbers operate in the South is a very frightening experience. Over the years it has become a serious course of concern for citizens. Most cash transit robbery is carried out by a group armed robber. Some of these robbers come from trained paramilitary background, in some instances are citizens from South Africa neighboring countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, and Botswana. The military training commands of these named countries have either sacked or retrenched some of them from service in their home countries. Instead of reskilling themselves and reintegrate into society, they turn to crimes, utilizing the set skills gained from the army or armed forces to terrorise citizens. This research has three aims: first, to highlight the persistent imminent dangers faced by citizens when these CIT robberies are taking place. Second, to explore the modus operandi of CIT robbers. Third, to explore both short term and long-term solutions to the deadly violent criminal world of the CIT robbers. The findings are: first, South Africa porous border makes the country a very attractive and lucrative destination to perpetuate violent robberies. Second, more training and investment by law enforcement agencies to fight CIT robbers, essentially improved use of assisted technology, artificial intelligence like drones, robots and body worn cameras.  Third, mandatory tougher sentencing by the courts for CIT robbers in South Africa needs to be put in place to reduce this dastardly criminal violence.