Six armed robbers were recently sentenced to life imprisonment at the Scottburgh High Court for murder, attempted cash-in-transit heist, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms as well as ammunition.
Security guards were delivering cash to a pension pay point in Hibberdene when they were accosted by the accused on August 1, 2019.
“The accused fired shots at a security guard and he died at the scene,” explained Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, Hawks KZN spokesperson.
“The driver of the cash van sped off towards the N2 and the accused gave chase while shooting at the van. They rammed the cash van until it lost control, the accused failed to get the cash and they fled the scene empty-handed.”
A case of murder, attempted murder and attempted cash-in-transit heist was reported at Southport police station and the case docket was allocated to the Port Shepstone based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation.
“Members followed up on information and recovered the getaway vehicle of the accused in sugarcane fields. Police pursued further leads until they located the accused at KwaMadlala area.”
Thulani Cwele (33), Mpumelelo Ntshangase (47), Bongani Madlala (50), Zenzele Gumede (40), Bheki Ndlovu (45) and Zwanani Cele (34) were arrested. Police also found an AK47 rifle with 15 rounds of ammunition, a R4 rifle with 17 rounds of ammunition and a 9mm pistol with 12 rounds of ammunition.
Their bail application was also successfully opposed at the time.
Each of the accused were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for attempted robbery, five years for three counts of attempted murder, 15 years for three counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and three years for possession of unlicensed ammunition. Their sentences will run concurrently.
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