North West Hawks spokesperson, Tlangelani Rikhotso, tells OFM News the three vehicles the accused allegedly used in the commission of the Klerksdorp heist have been traced back to car hijackings that occurred in Pretoria, Boksburg and Johannesburg between 2018 and 2021. The accused, who are between the ages of 37 and 53 years old, appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning 16 July, following their arrest on Wednesday. 

Rikhotso says that they will remain behind bars till their next appearance in the same courthouse on 22 July for bail.

The accused identified as Thabo Phalane (37), Katlego Monama (42), Giyani Ngobeni (42), Tshimani Sebitlo (44), Godfrey Mokhari (45), and Dumisani Nkosi (53) were arrested at a house in the Klerksdorp suburb of Neserhof by the Hawks and members of the police’s Tactical Response Team (TRT) within hours of the crime being committed. 

The group allegedly targeted a G4S armoured vehicle travelling on the Tirisano Road between Ellaton and Jouberton outside Klerksdorp. They allegedly brought the vehicle to a halt by veering it off the road and once stationary, disarmed the security personnel inside. The safe was blown up and they fled the scene with a weapon from the guards and an undisclosed amount of money. Those same items and the three vehicles with false registration plates were recovered in the apprehension.

The accused are facing charges of aggravated robbery, possession of explosives, possession of suspected stolen money and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

OFM News