The DPCI National Task Team on cash in transits together with Technical Operations Management Section (TOMS) DPCI have added yet another suspect involved in an attempted robbery and police murder.
The 38-year-old suspect who was found in possession of a hijacked sedan was arrested on Monday, 30 March 2020 in Rustenburg and is expected to appear at the Mahikeng Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 1 April 2020. The latest arrest brings to eight the number of suspects that have been arrested thus far. Out of the eight, three were fatally wounded, whilst five are behind bars including the latest suspect.
On 05 March 2020, the Special Task Force members engaged an armed gang around Mahikeng, who were in three vehicles. The gang had shot and forced a cash security van off the road. The suspects were confronted as they blew open the van and they retaliated and took off in different directions. In their attempt to escape, two of the vehicles faced off with members from TOMS. During the shootout, Detective Warrant Officer Delene Grobler-Koonin (44) was fatally shot.
The suspects fled and a manhunt ensued in earnest. A follow up operation was launched in Coligny, where the wanted suspects were confronted at a filling station. They retaliated with AK 47 rifles, fatally wounding Detective Warrant Officer Wynand Herbst (42).
During the incident, three suspects were fatally wounded and two wounded suspects were arrested at the crime scene. Three AK 47 rifles, two 9mm pistols, a bakkie and a minibus connected to the crime have been seized.
Meanwhile four suspects, Jabulani Yika (38) from Heidelberg, Phahlane Ngubeni (47) from Katlehong, Musa Mkhabele (34) also from Katlehong and Tafere Dimmissie (38) from Ethiopia are expected to appear on 24 April 2020 on charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition and attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances (CIT).
Tefo Motsewakhumo (27) from Mafikeng, Themba Hlatshwayo (38) from Katlehong and Tshepho Mokoena (37) from Orange farm were fatally wounded during the confrontation.
