Fidelity Services Group (FSG) says not a single attack has been recorded against any of the group’s new purpose-engineered cash-in-transit (CIT) vehicles since their deployment at the end of 2023.

CIT crime remains one of South Africa’s most organised and high-impact threats, says the company. However, the trajectory does seem to be shifting. According to the Cash-in-Transit Association of South Africa, 180 CIT robberies were recorded countrywide in 2025, representing a 13% year-on-year decline.

Within Fidelity Cash Solutions, successful vehicle attacks declined by 23%, while cross-pavement robberies decreased by 12.5% over the same period, with not a single attack recorded against any of the group’s newly developed trucks.

FSG processes around R246-billion in cash a year, completing around 29 000 pickups daily across more than 31 000 service points.

This equates to more than 630 000 collections every month across every municipality in South Africa and Eswatini.

FSG’s fleet of 1 162 armoured vehicles services 942 routes daily and collectively travelled more than 65-million kilometres over the past year.

New Technology
The newly developed CIT vehicles have been engineered around a monocoque hull – a single welded steel structure integrating the drivetrain and all operational subsystems into one reinforced unit.

This reduces body roll and improves resistance to side-impact ramming attacks, says FSG.

The floor structure incorporates a shallow V-shaped profile constructed from high- tensile armoured steel, which enhances structural integrity, while also improving crew protection in the event of an explosive device being detonated beneath the vehicle.

All exterior glazing and ballistic protection conform to B6+ STANAG specifications – the recognised international benchmark for resistance against high-powered firearms.

The vehicles are also equipped with run-flat tyre technology, enabling continued mobility even after sustaining tyre damage during an attack.

The onboard safe system features multiple independently secured compartments with reinforced anti-cut inner linings, which have undergone controlled blasting tests under the stewardship of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

The vehicle’s safe locking systems are geo-fencing compatible, allowing access only within authorised geographic zones.

To further protect CIT crews, all personnel areas are lined with self-extinguishing, fire-retardant insulation, in a direct response to the increasing use of fire as a criminal tactic during attacks.

Additional features include internal and external surveillance cameras; remote interlocking and vault access systems; integrated vehicle tracking and communications; and full armoured protection for both cabin and personnel compartments.

Fidelity has deployed 125 of its next- generation vehicles already, including 23 Superbulk units since November, 2023, with an additional 48 newly built vehicles and 38 refurbished units subsequently added to the fleet.

Collectively, these vehicles have travelled more than five-million kilometres without a single security incident.

Guiding the vehicles and their teams are FSG’s National Command and Risk Centre, which provides centralised operational oversight, supported by on-site control rooms delivering real-time visibility across the network.

An AI-driven auto-routing system dynamically generates and optimises routes based on customer schedules, traffic patterns, risk assessments and vehicle capacity, while also enabling real-time rerouting in response to incidents or emerging threats.

Integrated telematics and IoT sensors continuously monitor driving behaviour and automatically flag unauthorised route deviations.

Nationally, Fidelity deploys 35 national support units; 130 tactical support units; 12 tactical intervention units staffed by former military personnel and organised crime specialists; and 14 tactical armed reaction units.

These teams provide route clearing, escorting and rapid-response capabilities across the country.

From the air, Fidelity’s helicopter operations provide both deterrence and tactical support.

FSG has operated in the CIT sector since 1957, when it introduced South Africa’s first CIT services.

Today, the group’s cash solutions division employs nearly 5 000 people, operates 48 depots nationally, and holds an estimated 70% to 75% market share in retail CIT services.

“In South Africa, cash remains a vital enabler of daily life,” says FSG CEO Wahl Bartmann.

“It powers businesses, supports communities and drives economic participation across both the formal and informal sectors.

“Our continued investment in advanced fleet capability, operational intelligence and integrated security infrastructure reflects our commitment to staying ahead of evolving threats, while ensuring the resilience and continuity of cash movement across the country.”