UPDATE: Hawks oppose bail application of seven accused of Malalane CIT heist
Seven men, including four police sergeants, who were allegedly involved in a CIT heist near Malalane, have been remanded in custody.
The seven accused of the cash-in-transit heist of R8 000 in coins in Malalane in August remain behind bars.
A bail application is ongoing in the Tonga Magistrate’s Court.
Sergeants Collen Cyprian Nonyane (47), Sunday Peace Mashego (41), Bhekinkosi Stanley Goddi (41) and Sibusiso Musa Vilakazi (38), taxi driver, Musa Bhekifa Ngwenyama (30), a Malawian national, Ali Obi Ebrahim (24), and safe haven owner, Mfanasibili Lawrence Lubisi (44) appeared in the Tonga Magistrate’s Court on Monday September 11.
They face charges of conspiracy to commit crime, contravention of the Explosives Act, armed robbery, attempted murder, defeating the administration of justice, illegal possession of firearms, and possession of ammunition.
ALSO READ: Barberton police arrest three for murder
The Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said the accused had applied for bail.
“The Hawks are opposing the bail application of the group of alleged criminals. The case was postponed to Wednesday September 13 for further cross examination by the defence. All the accused were remanded in custody,” Sekgotodi said.
Seven accused of Malalane CIT heist remanded in custody – August 28
Seven men, including four police sergeants, were remanded in custody at the Tonga Magistrate’s Court on August 28 following their alleged involvement in a CIT heist earlier in August.
Sergeants Collen Cyprian Nonyane (47), Sunday Peace Mashego (41) and Bhekinkosi Stanley Goddi (41), as well as Sibusiso Musa Vilakazi (38), appeared alongside taxi driver Musa Bhekifa Ngwenyama (30), a Malawian national, Ali Obi Ebrahim (24), and safe haven owner Mfanasibili Lawrence Lubisi (44) on charges of illegal possession of firearms, among others.
Their appearance follows the disbandment of the White River Flying Squad. This was after Nonyane and Mashego were arrested on August 17. Goddi (41) handed himself over to police the following day.
ALSO READ: Kruger National Park leopard experience: Wow or woe?
Vilakazi, Ngwenyama, Ebrahim and Lubisi were arrested a few days later.
This all follows a shootout on August 11, when a robbery occurred at One Tree Hill on the Malalane/Jeppes Reef road and R8 000 in coins were allegedly stolen.
They were all remanded in custody until their next expected appearance on August 30.
