LIMPOPO – Two men appeared before the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday (June 19) in connection with cash-in-transit heists at the Venda Plaza, Phangami Mall and Shayandima Complex.

Andani Matidza (28) and Zachariah Rembuluwani Mudau (29) were arrested in Shayandima Zone 10 and Thohoyandou Block G last Friday during a joint operation by the Vhembe Trio Task Team and are said to be involved in the robberies of Fidelity vehicles in which R4.2m was stolen.

The men face three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of attempted murder as well as the unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.

Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said investigations linked the men to robberies at various malls in the Thohoyandou area as well as for cross pavement robberies, of which cases were opened.

The Limpopo Hawks launched an intensive manhunt for a group of armed suspects allegedly responsible for a cash-in-transit robbery at the Venda Plaza in Thohoyandou on Wednesday (June 7).

At the time, the provincial Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Matimba Maluleke said Fidelity Security guards were about to load money into an ATM when they were ambushed by armed men wearing balaclavas.

“The group of about 10 suspects were armed with rifles and pistols and fired several shots that left two security guards injured before they made off with an undisclosed amount of money,” his statement read.

Read more: VIDEO: Hawks on the hunt for Thohoyandou cash-in-transit suspects

The National Prosecuting Authority’s regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said Matidza and Mudau will remain in custody until their next appearance on June 28 where they will apply for bail.

More arrests are expected as police investigations continue.