Cash-in-transit heists on decline in South Africa

Incidents of robbery of cash-in-transit and bank robberies have witnessed a decline over the last financial year in South Africa, the government has revealed.

On Thursday, the country's National Crime Statistics department released the latest statistics, the South African Government News Agency reported.

"Robbery of cash-in-transit has remarkably reduced by over ... 62.4 percent during the past four years. We are encouraged to see a further 20.3 percent decrease during the past financial year (2012/13).

"Bank robbery remarkably reduced by ... 93.1 percent during the past four years and we are pleased with another significant decrease of 80 percent during the past financial year (2012/13)," said Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa at the release of the statistics in Pretoria.

In the period under review, there has also been an 18 percent decrease in ATM bombings, from 261 cases down to 214 cases.

The minister attributed this to lessons derived from strategic and structured partnerships with industry bodies, such as the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC).

SABRIC's CEO Kalyani Pillay said, the downward trend demonstrates the commitment shown by dedicated policemen and women, working in collaboration with the banks, cash-in-transit companies, and SABRIC.