Alleged crime conspirator to appear in court
The 44-year-old man that was arrested on September 14 for conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, possession of firearms and possession of explosives, will appear in the Middelburg Magistrates’ Court today (Monday).
Abel Nkosingphile Msimango (44) was arrested by the Middelburg-based Hawks, Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit and other officials in Delmas.
The multidisciplinary team received a tip-off about a ‘would-be cash-in-transit heist’ in Hendrina on the day of the suspect’s arrest.
When the officials arrived at the house the suspect was found hiding in, several people were inside the building; some escaped, three were arrested near the house, and two were found in a safe house.
Some of the suspects escaped the scene in a Mercedes-Benz, and after a high-speed chase, they were eventually arrested.
Other suspects who managed to flee hijacked several vehicles as they allegedly made their escape toward Elukwatini.
The arrest of Msimango led to the arrest of more suspects:
• Abraham Nthabu: Nthabu led the police to a stolen Suzuki vehicle, which was allegedly used as a getaway vehicle after the cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery. The vehicle was stolen in July in Soshanguve.
• Thabo Haward Hlope: Hlope has a pending CIT case that occurred in Westenburg, where an SBV armoured vehicle was attacked in May 2018. It was further established that the accused last appeared in the Polokwane High Court on August 4. His case was postponed to August 8 but he evaded court.
• Robert Lazarus Ndlovu: Ndlovu has a pending CIT case from December 2014 in Ermelo. The case was postponed to October 3 for trial.
• Godfrey Mabuye: Mabuye was involved in a CIT case in Siyabuswa and was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle.
Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said 10 people were arrested and are currently in custody.
