Hawks spokesperson, Hangwani Mulaudzi, tells OFM News that three of the ten men are security guards who alleged they were robbed and have been charged with the possession of unlicensed firearms and robbery.

The State alleges that the men bombed an armoured vehicle, disarmed the security guards of three firearms and fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money in Matlhonyane outside Mahikeng last month.

Seven of the men were arrested in Lomanyaneng, Magogoe, and Matlhonyane, while three were arrested in Itsoseng near Lichtenburg.

Mulaudzi says they are seriously worried about the nature of cash-in-transit heists across the country but he adds that they are up to the task.

“One of the things we have done is to make sure that these task teams are all over, up and running in all nine the provinces. So, if and when there is an incident of a CIT, then we are able to react very quickly. So, we should be happy with the success we have made thus far in this case, although there is a lot of work to be done,” says Mulaudzi.

Mulaudzi yesterday told OFM News that some of the stolen money was allegedly found at their homes during a search. Two firearms and ammunition were also recovered.

He says it is alleged that nine vehicles surrounded the cash van, forcing it to a standstill. Shots were fired at the van and the back of the vehicle was bombed to get to the money.

The suspects managed to flee with the cash before setting one of their own vehicles, a Honda Civic, alight, allegedly to destroy evidence. No-one was injured in the incident.

The robbers took the cash, leaving only R10 notes behind.

The National Head of the Hawks, Godfrey Lebeya, has applauded the prompt arrest by the integrated team.

OFM News