The van was driving along Archie Jonas Road.
Reiger Park SAPS spokesperson Sgt Phathela Mashusdu confirmed the shooting.
According to an eyewitness, the would-be robbers and security guards exchanged gunfire on the road of the township, sending civilians racing for cover.
The eyewitness told the Advertiser that he was busy cleaning his hairdressing salon, not far away from the scene, when he noticed a blue Polo VW approaching the British American Tobacco (BAT) cigarette delivery van.
The eyewitness then noticed a man alighting from the passenger seat of the Polo, carrying a gun.
The suspect reportedly opened fire on the Fidelity Security Services vehicle, which was escorting the delivery van.
The security guard jumped out of his vehicle, took cover and returned fire.
“Shots continued to ring out on the streets and bullets flew. It was a scary and serious situation – I saw many people who were nearby ducking for cover,” said the the eyewitness.
“I feared I may get hurt or killed, and I hid myself underneath the table inside my business.
“I heard multiple gunshots for about three minutes in the background. I also heard the bullets striking the corrugated iron sheets of the nearby shacks.
“When the gunshots stopped, I heard squealing tyres and the gunmen’s car was gone,” said the witness.
Another witness, who had been sitting inside his business next to the scene, said he heard gunshots and feared for his life.
“I was so scared and I didn’t want to be hurt. So I also ran away and left the doors of my business open,” said the eyewitness.
Reiger Park police responded to the reports of a shoot-out in the area. They cordoned off the area and found a number of bullet casings scattered across the street.
The security guard’s vehicle was riddled with bullet holes, but no injuries were reported.
The gunman, along with his accomplices, fled the scene empty handed, and they are still at large.
A case of attempted robbery was opened and the matter is under investigation.
