Cape Town - Three cash-in-transit robbery accused are expected to appear in the Oudtshoorn Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, after they were nabbed along the N2 earlier this week.
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said the accused, aged between 26 and 41, were arrested on Monday, for an alleged cash in transit heist, and were cornered when vigilant members of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation team noticed a car, matching the description they had received, travelling along the Outeniqua Pass.
“The team, based in George, was on the move, headed to the crime scene, when they spotted a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle involved in the incident. They stopped the silver Nissan Sentra, travelling towards George on the Outeniqua Pass and arrested the three occupants. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery and seizure of two 9mm pistols – including the Fidelity service pistol that was stolen in Oudtshoorn – and the money bag containing the stolen cash,” said Hani.
The robbery occurred at about 11.15am. The Fidelity security guard was accosted by two unknown suspects as he was returning to the armoured vehicle, at a service station in Oudtshoorn, from collecting the cash.
“The security guard was disarmed and the suspects fled in a getaway vehicle, with one Fidelity service firearm, as well as an undisclosed amount of money. The trio are expected to appear in court today, facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances,” said Hani.
Meanwhile, in a separate matter, two police officers – Warrant Officer Ricardo Snyman and Sergeant Sibuyiselo Bentso – appeared in Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges of kidnapping, defeating the ends of justice, and fraud.
The officers were arrested after a suspect had escaped from police guard in hospital. The officers are accused of arresting an innocent man to use in the place of the suspect who had escaped, said police spokesperson FC van Wyk.
“The officers had not informed anyone of what had transpired but, when the newly detained suspect was processed the next day after his arrest, the detective realised that the person did not fit the description of the suspect who was originally arrested,” said Van Wyk.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said Snyman and Bentso were released, and the case was postponed to October 27 for further investigation.
Cape Times