PRETORIA – An intelligence driven operation was conducted at Ndumo policing area in KwaZulu-Natal after information was received from the East London based team of Hawks investigators about the cash-in-transit robbery suspects who were in the area to consult with a traditional healer.
Ndumo and Ingwavuma police mobilised and pounced on the suspects while they were still busy with the consultation process on 27 August 2021. Vuyani Khwethane (47), Muyolisi Mshemula (49) and Howard Zivelisa (41) were arrested and handed over to the Hawks for further handling. Their vehicle, a VW Polo was also seized.
It is alleged that on 23 August 2021, G4S security guards were collecting money from a grocery store in Greenfields in the East London policing precinct when they were accosted by two armed men who robbed the security guard of a box with cash and his service firearm. No shots were fired and the suspects fled in two getaway vehicles. The incident gained the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime team’s attention which resulted in the arrest of the trio.
The accused appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court yesterday, 30 August 2021 facing a charge of cash-in-transit robbery. They were remanded in custody until 14 September 2021 for formal bail application. An investigation to link them to similar cases is continuing.
