South Africa’s most wanted man and an alleged member of the country’s most notorious cash-in-transit gang has been arrested after more than a year on the run.
Thabo Happy Mosia, 35, was arrested at about 3pm on Tuesday in Eldorado Park, south of Joburg, by Flying Squad members acting on a tip-off.
“The members followed the information, which included the description of the vehicle the suspect was travelling in. They spotted the vehicle in Eldorado Park and cornered it… and (Mosia) was arrested,” said Gauteng police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale.
She said Mosia had been sought for “four cash-in transit heists that happened in March 2005 in Bedfordview, February 2006 in Bedfordview, June 2006 in Mothutlung and August 2006 in Tsakane”.
Mogale added that Mosia was also sought by police for possession of property suspected stolen in Mondeor, armed robbery in Lenasia as well as possession of car-breaking implements.
Mosia was the last of the 50 most-wanted suspects that the Hawks were tracking who was still on the run. The Star reported in September that Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said the 50 had been profiled and pursued by the Hawks.
While police were still hot on Mosia’s heels last year, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) linked him to “at least five cash-in transit robberies, involving millions of rand and loss of lives, targeting various security companies, including Coin Security, SBV Security and Fidelity”.
In August, the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) seized his assets, including two houses, one of which was valued at R1.2 million.
The NPA said Mosia was one of the “10 most wanted persons alleged to be responsible for cash-in-transit robberies around the country”.
It was further stated that his accomplices had been arrested by the Hawks’ task team and their case had been proceeding in the Springs Regional Magistrate’s Court while Mosia’s assets were being confiscated.
The NPA added that according to investigations, the suspected cash-in-transit heist robber “is unemployed, (but) has been maintaining a luxurious lifestyle”.
“During 2006 he purchased his own house for R1.2 million and bought a house for his mother, who is dependent on social grants, for R120 000 cash. He deposited an amount of over R700 000 through the four accounts opened in the name of his mother. He also purchased an Audi for R135 000 cash for his wife,” the NPA said.
Expensive furniture, a large TV set and audio equipment were listed among other valuables seized at Mosia’s house in Liefde en Vrede, south of Joburg.
Cash receipts were seized at Mosia’s mother’s house in Allandale, Midrand. The NPA said the receipts showed that thousands of rand was spent on extensive renovations to the house.
The prosecuting authority said it was the first time that they had managed to obtain a preservation order against a suspected cash-in-transit robber of this magnitude. - The Star