NORTH WEST – Thuso Tshepo Lobelo (31), a security officer working at the G4S depot in Mahikeng was arrested on Wednesday by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in connection with a cash in transit robbery that took place in Mahikeng on 06 March 2020 where Detective Warrant Officer Delene Grobler-Koonin (44) and Detective Warrant Officer Wynand Herbst (42) were fatally wounded.
The armed gang allegedly shot and forced a cash security van off the road then blew it open. When the police approached the suspects, a shootout ensued resulting in Detective Warrant Officer Grobler-Koonin being tragically shot. The suspects fled and a manhunt was immediately launched.
Follow-up operations continued and later in the day, some suspects were cornered in Coligny where Detective Warrant Officer Wynand Herbst was shot during the ensuing shootout. Three suspects were fatally wounded and two were arrested. Warrant Officer Herbst succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
As investigations continued, additional suspects were arrested bringing the total number to eight. Solomon Ngubeni (47), Jabulani Yika (38), Musa Mkhavela (33), Terefe Demmissie (39), Edgar Marule (47), Simphiwe Msibi (24), Jabulane Sibisi (53) and Danny Mafora (39) are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of firearms, possession of ammunition, possession of explosives and malicious damage to property.
They are now joined by Lobelo who made a brief appearance before the Mahikeng Regional Court on Wednesday.
The case has been transferred to Mahikeng High Court scheduled for 12 April 2021 where all nine accused will appear.
