A Saber Tactical security member was shot in the hand and shoulder when the would-be robbers, travelling in three vehicles, stopped a G4s van and its convoy bakkie.
The assailants, who drove a Nissan truck, BMW and Audi, forcibly disarmed three three security personnel, just after the robot nearest to the Atlas Road off-ramp.
Benoni SAPS spokesperson Lieut Nomsa Sekele said the G4S employees were told to lie on the ground at the scene.
While the men were on the ground, one of the would-be robbers smashed the windows of the van presumed to be carrying money, but was unsuccessful.
They also fired shots at the van in order to gain entry.
Sekele said the perpetrators shot at the Saber Tactical member when he arrived on scene.
The spokesperson said the would-be robbers fled the scene in the vehicles when back up arrived.
Saber Tactical director Rocky Schaper said the reaction officer, who he did not want to name, drove himself to hospital.
He said the officer is in a stable condition.
Police found explosives on the scene and later discovered the truck in Springs.
A case of attempted murder and attempted cash-in-transit robbery has been opened.
No one has been arrested.
