Two detectives aged 38 and 30 years, who allegedly conspired to execute a cash transit, appeared briefly before the Kriel Magistrate’s Court following their arrest by the Hawks and SAPS Task Force in the early hours of Friday morning.
Constables Tami Kubeka (38) and Daniel Mahlangu (30) have been remanded in custody pending their next appearance at the same court on 16 September 2016.
The two detectives are accused of being part of a larger group that was conspiring to execute cash in transit robberies in the Mpumalanga areas. Both were arrested at their homes. One of the suspects attempted to shoot his way to freedom but was quickly overpowered. The Hawks seized firearms, suspected stolen laptops and cellphones as well as two BMW’s, one of which is still brand new.
In August this year, the Hawks Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) had received information about a hijacked BMW. The Hawks members followed the vehicle and found it parked at a house in Kriel.
Before they could enter the yard, members were greeted with a hail of bullets and a shoot-out ensued. With Special Task Force, National Investigative Unit, Organised Crime, Gauteng Flying Squad, the local police coming as backup, the suspects were overwhelmed.
One Hawks member was shot on the shoulder, one suspect was fatally wounded whilst two suspects were critically wounded at the time. One of the wounded suspects was pronounced dead on Friday after succumbing to his injuries. During a search at the house police confiscated SANDF and private security bullet proofs, commercial explosives, rifles and stolen vehicles.
Meanwhile, Operation Expose, also managed to nail five other suspects for possession of stolen items, dealing drugs and possession of firearms and ammunition in Kwamhlanga, Middelburg and Siyabuswa. Five suspects were arrested whilst drugs worth more than R100 000 was confiscated. The unlicensed rifle has been taken for ballistic testing to determine if it was used in the commission of crime. All the five suspects will appear on Monday at the different courts.
The National Head of the Hawks Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza has commended the investigating team which had resulted in the arrest of the two police officers. According to Lieutenant General Ntlemeza the officers collectively are putting together a solid case, which is resulting in the arrest of the dangerous group of criminals, while displaying the highest level of professionalism and great commitment to the task.
“The tremendous effort exerted by our members must be commended. I am heartened by their efforts as we seek to get crime under control and put solid cases before the courts, so that justice may be served. Congratulations to the dedicated and competent officers involved in this investigation,” Lieutenant General Ntlemeza
