PRETORIA – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation hereby appeals for public assistance to locate the remaining suspects from a foiled cash-in-transit heist incident that occurred around Mahikeng, North West, on Thursday, 05 March 2020.
A multidisciplinary team consisting the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) and Special Task Force members responded to an armed robbery in progress at Mahikeng road near Itsoseng Township during an intelligence driven operation.
A group of heavily armed suspects amongst them allegedly included Pascal Wiseman Langu (48), Tebo Phuthegolo, also known as, Boitumelo Mashishi, Jabulani Andrew Sibisi alias Mkhulu (53), (pictures attached), used explosives to open the vault of a Fidelity armoured vehicle after they shot at it and forced it to stop. A shoot-out ensued with the responding team but the suspects managed to escape the crime scene without any cash.
A wide-ranging search for the suspects was launched and TOMS members spotted one of the getaway vehicles, a white Ford Ranger double cab which they pursued. A shoot-out ensued and Warrant Officer Grobler-Koonin was fatally wounded. Later that afternoon intelligence was received regarding the sought suspects in a Toyota Quantum minibus allegedly driving from Mahikeng towards Coligny.
The tracing team spotted the minibus at the Total Filling Station in Coligny. Upon seeing the police, the robbers opened fire and members retaliated. During the shoot-out Warrant Officer Wynand Herbst was fatally wounded and three of the six robbers inside the minibus were shot dead whilst three were apprehended.
Nine suspects have been accounted for in this case thus far. Out of the nine, the three Tefo Motsewakhumo (27), from Mafikeng, Themba Hlatshwayo (38), from Katlehong and Tshepho Mokoena (37) from Orange farm were fatally wounded during the confrontation, whilst the six suspects, Jabulani Yika (38), from Heidelberg, Phahlane Ngubeni (47), from Katlehong, Musa Mkhabele (34), also from Katlehong, Neo Marule (38), from Mafikeng, Simpiwe Msibi (24) and Tafere Dimmissie (38), from Ethiopia are behind bars on charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition and attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances. Their last court appearance was on 24 April 2020 and the case has been postponed to, 15 May 2020, pending further investigation.
The public is warned not to approach the wanted suspects as they are considered armed and dangerous. Any member of the public who might be harbouring the wanted suspects is being warned to immediately desist from such as it is a criminal offence which could lead to them being charged as accessories of crime.
We appeal to anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the sought suspects to contact Lieutenant Colonel Gert Serfontein on 071 481 3394 or Warrant Officer Trevor Shaw on 0826975873, alternatively to contact the SAPS Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or provide information via the SAPS MYSAPSAPP. All information will be treated with strictest confidence and callers may remain anonymous.
