Police have opened a case of armed robbery and attempted murder after a security officer from a cash-in-transit company was shot and robbed at the Lowveld Mall in Hazyview on Saturday morning, 19 September.
What happened
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said the incident occurred at approximately 09:45 while the security officer was walking from a shop towards the cash-in-transit van after collecting cash. Masondo described how one suspect produced a firearm, fired shots and ordered the officer to drop the money bag. Two additional suspects then allegedly took the bag, ran to a white Toyota bakkie and drove off.
“It is reported that the security officer had just collected cash from one of the shops at Lowveld Mall and was walking towards the cash van when he was accosted by a suspect who took out a firearm and fired shots, ordering him to drop the money bag,”
The officer was shot in the leg and transported by ambulance to a local medical facility for treatment. The amount of cash taken has not been disclosed. No arrests have been made and police are appealing to the public for information.
Police appeal and how to report information
- Members of the public with information are asked to contact their nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
- Anonymous information can also be submitted via the MySAPS App, downloadable to smartphones.
Provincial detectives will investigate both the robbery and the shooting as part of the attempted murder case. Investigators will likely review mall CCTV footage, interview witnesses and trace the vehicle used by the suspects.
Local impact and context
The incident is the latest in a string of violent cash-in-transit and public-place robberies that raise concerns about the safety of mall patrons, shop owners and security personnel in Mpumalanga’s tourism and retail hubs. Hazyview is a gateway town for visitors to the Kruger National Park and private game reserves; such crimes can affect perceptions of safety for both residents and tourists.
Security officers who handle cash collections face heightened risks. Robberies targeting cash-in-transit operations remain a focus for SAPS nationally and provincially because they often involve firearms and coordinated teams leaving victims with serious injuries.
Practical information for mall users and businesses
While police carry out their investigation, shoppers and business owners in the area may consider taking precautionary measures:
- Be vigilant in parking areas and around cash collection points.
- Report suspicious vehicles or persons immediately to security or SAPS.
- Businesses should review cash-handling routines and consider minimising visible cash movements during busy periods.
Incident details
| Detail | Information provided |
|---|---|
| Date | 19 September 2026 |
| Time | About 09:45 |
| Location | Lowveld Mall, Hazyview |
| Victim | Security officer from cash-in-transit company (shot in leg) |
| Suspects | At least three; fled in a white Toyota bakkie |
| Case opened | Armed robbery and attempted murder |
The police appeal is routine but crucial: any witness who saw the suspects or the vehicle leaving the scene, or who can assist with CCTV or dashcam footage, is urged to come forward. Information, even if provided anonymously, can be vital to locating suspects and recovering stolen property.
As investigations continue, local stakeholders — including mall management, businesses and security companies — may also be asked to cooperate with detectives by sharing footage, logbooks and staff accounts. The outcome of this probe will be watched closely by residents and visitors who depend on the Lowveld Mall as a commercial and community hub.
Further updates will follow as official statements are released by SAPS and the provincial police command.
