Suspect in failed Hazyview CIT heist out on bail

MBOMBELA - Khanyisile Viola Nyalunga, a City of Mbombela traffic officer who was arrested in connection with a failed CIT heist in Hazyview on July 27, has been granted bail.

The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court released Nyalunga (29) on R5 000 bail on September 15.

The spokesperson for the provincial National Prosecuting Authority, Monica Nyuswa, said Nyulunga had appealed against the White River Magistrate’s Court’s decision not to grant her bail.

“The court found there was substantial reason that she be granted bail. She was released under the condition that she shall attend all court appearances until the finalisation of trial and that she shall not contact, interfere or intimidate the state witnesses. She must stay in the country until her case is resolved,” Nyuswa said.

On July 27, at about 13:30, a Fidelity Security armoured vehicle (AV) was travelling from

White River to Hazyview, escorted by a tactical support unit vehicle. At the White River/Hazyview junction, as the AV turned 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.

According to information, the suspects fled in three other sedans. Some witnesses indicated that one of the vehicles was seen transporting the suspect and firearms used during the failed heist.

A team of investigators of a joint operation by the Nelspruit Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, the National Intervention

Unit, provincial detectives and the Nelspruit

Local Criminal Record Centre, followed up on this information. Some of the vehicles seen at the crime scene were allegedly found parked in Nyalunga’s yard. The vehicles were confiscated, and Nyalunga was arrested on Friday July 28.

She is still expected to appear in the White River Magistrate’s Court on September 27.