Durban chaos: Cash-in-transit heist and shootings leaves one dead, several injured

One person was killed and several were injured after a cash heist led to a series of shootings on Tuesday in Durban on the N2.

ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said emergency teams were called out just after 6 am following multiple reports of shootings and a cash-in-transit heist. "Immediately, multiple resources were dispatched," he said.

Jamieson said that upon arrival, paramedics, SAPS, and Metro Police were met with "total chaos."

A cash-in-transit vehicle had been forced off the road and it overturned. It was then blown up by armed suspects.

"The suspects then robbed the cash-in-transit van," he said.

Three security officers suffered various injuries and were treated on the scene before being transported to nearby hospitals.

Further down the road, approximately 500 metres from the robbery, three bus passengers on their way to work had sustained gunshot wounds. "They were also stabilised by ALS paramedics before being transported to various hospitals," Jamieson confirmed.

Another scene was discovered on the Higginson Highway bridge over the N2, where two more people had been shot. "They were stabilised on the scene before being transported to hospital," he added.

In Chatsworth, on Silverglen Drive, paramedics responded to yet another shooting. "Multiple patients had been shot, including two females believed to be in their 30s and a security officer," Jamieson said.

He said one of the women sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene.

"The other two patients were stabilised on the scene by ALS paramedics before being transported to hospital," he said.

Due to the ongoing investigation, SAPS has completely closed the N2 between Higginson Highway and the M7.

"It will be closed for some time to allow for investigations. I’d advise all motorists to avoid the area," Jamieson said.

"All these incidents are incidents as a result of the cash-in-transit," said Jamieson.