The Hawks have arrested two policemen for their alleged role in assisting a cash-in-transit heist gang. The officers, Constables Thami Kubeka, 38, and Daniel Mahlangu, 30, were arrested at their homes in Kriel, Mpumalanga, on Friday.
They later made a brief appearance in the Kriel Magistrate’s Court charged with conspiring to commit a robbery with aggravating circumstances.
They were not asked to plead and the case was postponed to September 16.
Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said they were accused of being part of a larger group conspiring to commit cash-in-transit robberies in Mpumalanga.
“Both suspects were arrested at their homes. One of the suspects attempted to shoot his way to freedom but he was quickly overpowered.
“The Hawks seized firearms, suspected stolen laptops and cellphones as well as two BMWs, one of which is still brand-new,” Mulaudzi said.
He said the Hawks tactical operations management section (Toms) had received information last month 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 shootout ensued.
“With the special task force, the national investigative unit, organised crime, Gauteng flying squad, (and) the local police coming as back-up, the suspects were overwhelmed,” Mulaudzi said.
A member of the Hawks was shot in the shoulder and a suspect was fatally wounded, while two other suspects were critically wounded. One of the wounded suspects died on Friday.
During a search conducted at the house, police confiscated SA National Defence Force and private security bullet-proof vests, commercial explosives, rifles and stolen vehicles.
Meanwhile, Operation Expose nabbed five other suspects for possession of stolen items, dealing in drugs and possession of firearms and ammunition in KwaMhlanga, Middelburg and Siyabuswa.
Five suspects were arrested and drugs to the value of 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 five suspects will appear (tomorrow) in different courts,” Mulaudzi added.
He said the national head of the Hawks, Lieutenant-General Mthandazo Ntlemeza, had commended the investigating team whose work had resulted in the arrest of the two police officers.
According to Ntlemeza, the officers were putting together a solid case, leading to the arrest of the suspects, and they had displayed the highest level of professionalism and commitment to the task.
“The tremendous effort 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,” Ntlemeza said.
The Sunday Independent