Cash-in-transit heists: 8 arrested
Guns, cash found during operation
The Hawks and police have arrested eight people in connection with cash-in-transit heists in Katlehong and Meyerton in Gauteng. Thandwangubazi Mvelase‚ 35‚ Nokulunga Ntombela‚ 33‚ Lungisani Mdlolo‚ 35‚ Ntengazi Mdlolo‚ 40‚ and Sandile Mhlungu‚ 29‚ appeared in the Protea‚ Vereeniging and Nigel magistrate’s courts on Friday. They will be back in court today. “Unfortunately‚ the case against the other three suspects was provisionally withdrawn‚” said Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.
Police allegedly found AK47 rifles‚ two bullet-proof police vests‚ ammunition and cash when they arrested Mvelase and Ntombela. Mhlungu was arrested in Orange Farm where police allegedly found a shotgun‚ pistol‚ hand grenade and ammunition. “The pistol was linked to a theft of a firearm case in the same area‚” Mulaudzi said. “The operation proceeded to Duduza and Vosloorus hostels where the two Mdlolos were arrested. Lungisani Mdlolo was the first to be detained in Duduza and was allegedly found with a revolver. Ntengazi Mdlolo was allegedly found with an AK-47 and a pistol.” Mulaudzi said Lungisani Mdlolo allegedly escaped from custody at Palm Ridge magistrate’s court in 2014 after he was found guilty of murder‚ armed robbery with aggravated circumstances and rape. “The operation culminated in the arrest of three suspects‚ also in Vosloorus. The team allegedly seized an AK-47 with six magazines with ammunition. Their case has since been provisionally withdrawn pending further investigations,” he said.
‘‘ AK-47 rifles, bullet-proof vests found during raid