An alleged cash-in-transit robber, 24-year-old Thomas Zwiafana Nethavhani was remanded in custody when he appeared before the Mutale Magistrate's Court in Limpopo.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said Nethavhani is facing four charges related to cash-in-transit crime. He appeared in court on Friday and was remanded in police custody until Wednesday.
“This follows his arrest by the Musina-based Hawks serious organised crime investigation unit and tactical response team of Vhembe district on December 5 2024,” said Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa.
In July 2023, members of G4S Cash Solutions in Makhado arrived to collect money from a shop at Tshilamba Mutale complex.
Mmuroa said upon arrival at the shop, the G4S guard was told that available cash was not enough to be collected.
When returning to the vehicle, he was confronted by two suspects. They pointed firearms at him and robbed him of an empty cross-pavement carrier, firearm, and 14 rounds of ammunition. The suspects allegedly fired three shots at the G4S truck and drove away with a red BMW,” said Mmuroa.
The case docket of cash-in-transit robbery was opened and registered at Mutale police station.
The docket was transferred to Musina-based Hawks serious organised crime investigation unit for further investigation.
“The Hawks investigation led to the recovery of robbed cross pavement carrier inside the bushes at Thengwe-Tsithuthuni village. Through the meritorious investigations of the Hawks, the accused, Mr Ntshavheni, was linked to the crime through DNA,” said Mmuroa.
Last week, members attached to Musina serious organised crime investigation unit and Thohoyandou tactical response team conducted a disruptive operation called “Robust tracing."
“The team successfully arrested the accused, Ntshavheni, at Thengwe-Vuvha village outside Thohoyandou,” said Mmuroa.
He appeared before Mutale Magistrate’s Court facing charges of cash-in-transit robbery, defeating the ends of justice, conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravating circumstances and attempted murder.
The case was postponed to Wednesday while the accused man remains behind bars.
Meanwhile, provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender has saluted the law enforcement team.