Fidelity heist accused identified from CCTV footage, policeman tells court
Cellphone records, recovered stolen firearms and CCTV footage all formed part of the state’s evidence against a former Fidelity security guard and her co-accused.
Yesterday, the high court in Gqeberha heard how police investigations into the robbery of a Fidelity Security cash vehicle at the Sasol garage in Linton Grange on May 2 2018 had determined the crime was preplanned.
Warrant officer Zane Bosch said at least two of the alleged robbers, Sonwabo Gcuwa and Lusanda Ludziya, could be identified through CCTV footage captured at the time of the incident.
Gcuwa was arrested on the same day with the 9mm firearm stolen from a Fidelity guard and used in a shootout with police at the corners of Ditchling and Chase Drive, Algoa Park, shortly after the robbery, Bosch said.
Gcuwa, 39, Ludziya, 34, Simthembile Qhongoshani, 35, Sibongile Nozinxezu, 35, and former Fidelity Security official Nontuthuzelo Majola, 37, have all pleaded not guilty to a host of charges including robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of attempted murder, murder and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
A sixth suspect, Malibongwe Boletyeni, 27, was killed in a shootout with police after a high-speed car chase through the streets of Gqeberha.
Bosch said after Gcuwa was arrested, he was taken to the Algoa Park police station where he gave a confession statement and named his coaccused, albeit by nicknames mostly.
Gcuwa’s cellphone was also confiscated and linked to the phone belonging to Majola through messages.
A week after the robbery, Ludziya was traced to the Mqanduli area where he was arrested and clothing found in his dwelling was similar to that of one of the suspects captured on CCTV footage, Bosch said.
On May 11 2018, Majola was taken in for questioning.
Bosch said he found Gcuwa’s number saved on her phone which was enough to arrest her.
According to Bosch, he called a woman officer to take her warning statement.
His colleague later informed Bosch that Majola wanted to make a confession but wanted to do so before a magistrate.
State advocate Martin le Roux said the state did not intend submitting the warning statement or the alleged confession at this stage of the trial but, should it be necessary, he would call the magistrate to testify.
The case continues.