The suspects are facing charges of murder, seven counts of attempted murder, four counts of malicious damage to property, impersonating a police officer, and six counts of unlawful possession of ammunition.

Six counts of unlawful possession of firearms, possession of explosives, and three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

“It is alleged that on May 23, 2018, the six accused together with the seventh person who is now deceased, robbed Joel Skhosana of his Audi A4 and two days later, robbed Janet Marole of her Mercedes Benz GLE 250. On June 5, 2018, they allegedly followed a vehicle from the G4S security company transporting money on the R71 from Phalaborwa to Tzaneen.

Also read: Hoedspruit: Security officials seriously injured during R40 cash-in-transit heist

The accused allegedly fired on the G4S vehicle and the vehicle came to a standstill. The accused then bombed the safe and took the money and firearms of the guards and loaded it in their getaway vehicles (Audi A4 and Mercedes Benz GLE 250). In the process of escaping, a shooting ensued between the accused and the farmers who were on the scene. One of the alleged robbers was shot dead.

On June 6, 2018, the Herald reported on how the local Farm Watch community was instrumental in arresting the suspects. “The getaway vehicles were spotted by police whereupon a car chase ensued along the Hoedspruit/Lydenburg road. Members of the Farm Watch joined and assisted in blocking the road.

One of the vehicles was cornered next to Swadini in the Hoedspruit policing area and a shootout ensued. Of the six suspects who were in the car, three aged between 43 and 25 were nabbed, two managed to flee and one was fatally wounded. Of the two who fled, one was later apprehended.

The suspects and the deceased are from Burgersfort, Tzaneen, Hazyview, and Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga,” Brig Motlafela Mojapelo reported at the time. The NPA said the state is going to call 20 witnesses to prove its case.