The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has welcomed the lengthy life sentence handed down to a former SBV security guard for his involvement in a cash-in-transit robbery.
Zwelinkosi Tsolo (40) and his accomplices committed the crime in April 2009 at Nyanga Junction in Duinefontein Road, Manenberg.
The crew members were on their way to load the ATM at the centre in the area. Three suspects accosted the duo carrying cash and opened fire at them, killing one, injuring another guard as well as two members of public.
They fled the scene in two getaway vehicles taking with them the cash and service firearms. Both vehicles were later found abandoned at Kiki hostels Guguletu and in Wynberg. It later transpired that both vehicles were reported as a hijacked and stolen a Lotus squatter camp in Gugulethu and Wynbreg respectively.
The Hawks’ National Bureau for Illegal Firearms Control and Priority Violent Crime Unit (NBIFCPVC) arrested and charged Tsolo along with five others on 20 July 2009. He was granted R10 000 bail on the 18 February 2013. During trial five others were later discharged for inconclusive evidence. Tsolo was acquitted on a charge of theft of motor vehicle as well as robbery with aggravating circumstances during the hijacking of a moving vehicle.
On Friday, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder of his SBV co-guard and an additional 10 years imprisonment for each of the three counts of attempted murder of two members of the public and another security guard injured during the heist. He was further slapped with a 15 years imprisonment for armed robbery.
Lieutenant General Lebeya has warned cash-in-transit robbers that the Hawks is resolute to protecting the country’s economy and will leave no stone unturned in the fight against armed robbers. He praised the investigating team for continuing to ensure that criminals are brought to book and convicted.
