The investigating officer assigned to probe a foiled cash-in-transit (CIT) heist, has detailed how a tip-off from their Gauteng counterparts led them to a house in Khayelitsha.
The investigating officer assigned to probe a foiled cash-in-transit (CIT) heist, in which eight suspects were killed in a shoot-out with police, has detailed how a tip-off from their Gauteng counterparts led them to a house in Khayelitsha.
Five suspects were arrested and police seized seven AK47 rifles, two R5 rifles, four other firearms, three improvised explosive chargers and numerous magazines filled with rounds of ammunition after the shoot-out last month.
Among the arrested suspects was Avuyile Mjongwana, who this week was denied bail by the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court.
In his affidavit opposing Mjongwana’s bail application, investigating officer Simon Zaliseka Hlatshaneni detailed how they pounced on the suspects allegedly planning a CIT heist on August 5.
“The DPCI (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) has been investigating a spate of CIT robberies with the latest one having taken place. A DPCI (Hawks) member stationed in Gauteng received information, on August 4 regarding one wanted suspect in the Western Cape planning a CIT robbery.”
A crime intelligence contact person was tasked with observing the premises in Khayelitsha while the Hawks members continued their investigations.
“As Fidelity had repeatedly been targeted in CIT robberies, Fidelity vehicles were specifically monitored by the DPCI members. At approximately 3.30pm (on August 5) the crime intelligence contact person informed the DPCI members that a group of 10 to 15 males had gathered at the premises in Khayelitsha Town Two.
“The DPCI mobilised the SAPS Special Task Force in anticipation of a possible take-down.”
At 5.25pm, the Hawks, working with the SAPS Special Task Force, executed a tactical raid on the premises to thwart the robbery.
“As the officers breached the residence, gunfire erupted from inside, prompting a dramatic shoot-out.
“Shortly after the premises were breached by the Special Task Force, (Mjongwana) was seen jumping out of a window on the second floor with a pistol in his hand.”
He was apprehended by officers after dropping his weapon. A key to a stolen Nissan Qashqai, linked to an earlier case in Nyanga, was also found in his possession.
“During the shoot-out, members of the Special Task Force also saw three of the occupants climb out of an upstairs window, all armed with rifles. They were pursued and apprehended by members of the Special Task Force in the immediate vicinity of the residential premises. When the Special Task Force managed to secure the premises a total of eight people, all occupants of the premises, were fatally wounded.”
Hlatshaneni said that after the matter was initially struck off the roll, they immediately applied for warrants to authorise the re-arrest of Mjongwana, Cassiem Feni, Tebogo Maluke, Sihle Mabhongo and Simphiwe Bongani Mzanywa. However, only Mjongwana was arrested, while still in hospital, and he was brought before court.
Others are still at large and efforts to locate them are ongoing.
Mabhongo faces a pending charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm, with the next court appearance scheduled for September 26 at the Khayelitsha District Court.
Cape Times