• A G4S security was killed following an attempted cash-in-transit heist in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.
• The guard and a colleague were walking towards an ATM in Pinetown when they were accosted by armed men, resulting in a shootout.
• The robbers did not get away with any money. 

A G4S security guard has been shot and killed during an attempted cash-in-transit heist in KwaZulu-Natal, which saw the robbers walk away empty-handed.

The guard was killed during a shootout between the robbers and security guards in Pinetown, Durban, on Monday.

“The reports indicate that two cash-in-transit guards were walking towards the ATM when they were accosted by a group of suspects who were carrying high-calibre firearms.

“It is also reported that a shootout ensued between the suspects and the guards. One guard was fatally wounded whilst the other was airlifted to hospital with gunshot wounds,” said police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Netshiunda.

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In a statement, G4S said the robbers did not get away with any money.

“This loss of life is especially senseless since all of our cross-pavement devices are equipped with technology that renders 100% of the cash unusable when forced open.

“Our message to would-be criminals is clear – don’t bother attacking our teams because you will get away with nothing of value,” said Renso Smit, G4S’ regional cluster director.

Netshiunda added the robbers also shot at police who were in the vicinity.

“The suspects are said to have come across a police vehicle on patrol with two officers at [the] corner of Shepstone and Otto Volek in New Germany. The suspects reportedly opened fire at the two police officers, but the officers tactically took cover and survived the shooting unscathed.”

Netshiunda said the robbers got away in a  white Chevrolet Utility bakkie with registration number NPS72845 and a white Toyota Avanza with an unknown registration number.