Mbombela traffic cop appears in court in connection with failed Hazyview CIT heist

The Mbombela traffic officer, Khanyisile Viola Nyalunga (29), has been remanded in custody until her next court appearance on Wednesday August 2, following her alleged involvement in a failed Hazyview CIT heist that occurred on Thursday July 27.

Mpumalanga Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said Nyalunga appeared in the Hazyview Magistrate’s Court for a bail application on Tuesday August 1.

She said the matter was postponed until Wednesday for continuation of argument and judgement, and that the case has been transferred to the White River Magistrate’s Court.

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Sekgotodi said in a previous statement that Nyalunga had been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The traffic officer was arrested on Friday, July 28 in a joint operation by the Nelspruit Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, the National Intervention Unit, provincial detectives and the Nelspruit Local Criminal Record Centre. The incident for which she was arrested regards an attempted CIT heist in Hazyview.

Sekgotodi said in her previous statement that on Thursday, at about 13:30, a Fidelity Security armoured vehicle (AV) was travelling from White River to Hazyview, escorted by a tactical support unit (TSU) vehicle.

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“At the White River/Hazyview junction, as the AV turned right into Hazyview, it was rammed by a grey Mercedes-Benz sedan. The suspects immediately started to shoot at the AV, wounding the security guards. They were transported to hospital for medical treatment,” said Sekgotodi.

“The TSU also arrived and returned fire. According to information, the suspects fled in three other sedan vehicles. Witnesses indicated that the vehicle of the accused (Nyalunga) was seen transporting the suspects and firearms which were used during the failed heist.”

Nyalungu was arrested after stolen vehicles, which were seen on the crime scene, were allegedly found parked in her yard. The vehicles were confiscated.

She said that during preliminary investigation it was discovered that the silver Mercedes-Benz ML 250 was stolen at Mhala in June this year and the Mercedes-Benz C Class sedan was stolen at Vosloorus in February 2021.