Mbombela traffic cop denied bail in CIT case

While CIT-related incidents continue unabated, a City of Mbombela (CoM) traffic officer is facing multiple charges following her alleged involvement in a foiled robbery attempt in broad daylight last Thursday, July 27.

This is the fifth CIT incident to have occurred in the Lowveld in July alone. It is unknown whether any of the suspects in the previous heists can be linked to this attempted robbery last week.

The first heist occurred near White River on July 5, the second in Marite on July 8, another in KaNyamazane on July 17, and one near Mara on July 20.

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On July 28, Khanyisile Viola Nyalunga (29) was arrested after stolen vehicles allegedly used in the attempted heist on the R40 at the White River/Hazyview junction, were found parked in her yard.

It is reported that an armoured Fidelity Security vehicle was travelling from White River to Hazyview, escorted by a tactical support unit vehicle. At the junction, the armoured van turned right towards Hazyview before it was rammed by a grey Mercedes-Benz sedan. The suspects immediately opened fire on the cash van, and the guards returned shots.

An eyewitness, who wished not be named for the fear of his own safety, said he was standing outside his workplace when the attempted heist took place. He immediately started filming, but said when some stray bullets began hitting the building and some of the cars in the parking area, he ran for cover.

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The suspects allegedly fled in three other sedans.

According to Frits Koekemoer of LowMed EMS, one of the ambulance services that responded to the scene, the impact from the sedan left three security guards injured. They were transported to Mediclinic Nelspruit where they were treated for minor injuries.

The Mpumalanga Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (Hawks) spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said Nyalunga was arrested at her home in Hazyview.

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Witnesses had allegedly indicated that her vehicle was seen transporting the suspects and firearms used during the incident. Sekgotodi said some stolen vehicles that were also seen at the crime scene, were allegedly found parked in her yard. The arrest came after a joint operation by the Nelspruit Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, the National Intervention Unit, provincial detectives and the Nelspruit Local Criminal Record Centre.

Nyalunga has been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Sekgotodi added that during preliminary investigations, it was discovered that a silver Mercedes-Benz ML250 had been stolen at Mhala in June, and the grey Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan was stolen at Vosloorus in February 2021.

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The matter was originally heard in the Hazyview Magistrate’s Court, but has since been transferred to White River. She appeared on Wednesday for a further bail application, which she was denied.

CoM’s spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, said the municipality could not comment on the matter at this stage. He said the City will await the outcome of the court proceedings, adding that the matter did not involve them as she had allegedly committed the attempted heist on her own.

The provincial Hawks head, Major General Nico Gerber, issued a statement just before Thursday’s incident regarding his concerns on CIT heists. He said measures were being put in place to ensure the cases are investigated and the perpetrators arrested.