Two policemen were shot dead and two others injured on Monday during a cash-in-transit heist in KwaMaphumulo, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

Superintendent Muzi Mngomezulu said four officers, who were travelling in their own vehicle, were escorting a CPS vehicle carrying pension pay-out funds when they were cornered by 16 armed men on the road between Kranskop and Stanger around 8am.

"The armed men who were in two cars stopped the police and CPS vehicle with a hail of bullets. The men took two pistols and three R5 rifles from the police vehicle.

"They took six pistols and an undisclosed amount of money from the CPS vehicle," said Mngomezulu.

The men fled the scene in the two vehicles.

One of the vehicles used in the robbery was found burning two kilometres away from the crime scene, said Mngomezulu. Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said the injured officers were taken to hospital.

One officer was airlifted to the Mhlanga hospital in Durban and the other one was driven to Ballito hospital.

"Both men are in critical condition but the no one from the CPS vehicle was injured," said Botha.

No arrests have been made.

Police are investigating cases of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery.

Sapa