Cops in court for alleged cash-in-transit
The Middelburg Flying Squad was integral in arresting two police officers accused of a cash-in-transit robbery.
Two police officers appeared in court yesterday (December 18).
According to the Hawks, Zachariah Magopa (41) and George Phaahla (41) appeared in the Vaalbank Magistrate’s Court on robbery charges.
A team comprising the Middelburg-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, the Crime Intelligence Covert Section in Mpumalanga, and the Ekangala Flying Squad were involved in the arrest.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Dineo Sekgotodi, the Hawks spokesperson, a G4S armoured vehicle was attacked on February 1, 2021, by unknown men in the Senotlelo area. The suspects allegedly stole R5.8m, and the case was referred to the Middelburg-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit for further investigations.
During the investigation, two police officers from the Vaalbank Police Station were identified in the crime, and further information revealed that a state vehicle was allegedly used to collect firearms in KwaMhlanga.
The firearms were allegedly used to attack the G4S, and both police officers were subsequently arrested. They reportedly both confessed to the crime.
The Hawks said the vehicles used to commit the crimes were recovered. During the investigation, an undisclosed amount of cash was seized.
Both police officials appeared in the Vaalbank Magistrate’s Court on February 11, 2021.
A third suspect, Bongumusa Jele, was arrested at Kanyamazane and placed on the court roll together with the other accused.
The case docket appeared several times before the Vaalbank Magistrate’s Court until August 25, 2021, when it was struck off the roll due to outstanding forensic reports. The investigation continued, and all outstanding matters, together with forensic reports, were obtained.
The docket was referred to the public prosecutor, resulting in all three suspects being re-arrested and placed back on the court roll.
On December 17, Magopa was arrested in Siyabuswa and detained at Vaalbank holding cells. On December 18, Phaahla was arrested at his workplace, and both suspects appeared before the Vaalbank Magistrate’s Court.
The matter was postponed to February 27 next year, pending an outstanding suspect being detained at the Witbank Prison for another cash-in-transit matter.
