Tebogo Msimanga |
A 31-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Mhala Magistrate Court in Mpumalanga on Monday 3 May 2021. He was arrested by the Hawks on Thursday 29 April 2021. The suspect is allegedly linked to a failed cash in transit heist that happened on Thursday, 01 April 2021.
Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said a G4S vehicle was travelling from Dwarsloop to Thulamahashe escorted by the police. The police vehicle was allegedly hit by a gold Mercedes accompanied by a silver Subaru.
“The police returned fire in the ensuing shootout and suspects fled the scene on foot, abandoning their getaway vehicles. Along the way, they reportedly hijacked two other vehicles as they fled.”
Sekgotodi said the two vehicles used in the commission of crime were taken for further investigation, whilst the armoured G4S vehicle proceeded without further attack. “One police member was wounded in the gun battle and taken for medical treatment. A preliminary investigation by the Hawks revealed that the Subaru was stolen in Brooklyn in December 2020 and the Mercedes Benz was stolen in Bushbuckridge in February 2021.”
She added that further investigation linked the suspect to other cases, including that of car hijacking committed in July 2017.
“The suspect had been released on bail and a warrant of arrest was issued against him as he absconded a High Court appearance on the hijacking cases” concluded Captain Sekgotodi.
