Hawks recover dangerous weapons in Masoyi

The Hawks recently intercepted a planned CIT robbery in Hazyview and recovered a cache of dangerous weapons and explosives at a safe house.

According to the provincial Hawks’ spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, some of the guns were also used in a failed CIT robbery in Hazyview on July 27. The robbery involved a City of Mbombela (CoM) traffic officer, Khanyisile Viola Nyalunga.

Four AK-47 rifles with 47 magazines, 345 rounds of ammunition, 28 blasting cartridges, an unpacked blasting cartridge, three roles of Cortex, seven improvised explosive devices (suspected to be for use in a CIT robbery), one battery and six bulletproof vests were seized.

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Sekgotodi said the weapons were removed from the premises by the Hawks. “We received information on Friday at 10:00 about a safe house in Phola, Masoyi, where firearms and ammunition were hidden. A multidisciplinary team consisting of Nelspruit and Middelburg’s Serious Organised Crime Units, Crime Intelligence, the National Intervention Unit, Nelspruit Bomb Disposal Unit and the Nelspruit Police, went to search the house, but no one was found. Further investigation led to the recovery of the weapons hidden in the ceiling of the house.”

She said no one has yet been arrested, and that the investigation is continuing, following a strong lead to catch the owners of the guns and house. “We are grateful for the assistance of the community, giving us the information. We are once again urging the public to assist us with more.”

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Meanwhile, the state successfully opposed bail in the case of the CoM traffic officer. Nyalunga appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court on August 4 on multiple charges.

According to the Hawks, a group of men, one with a rifle, were caught on camera at Nyalunga’s parents’ home in KaBokweni with vehicles used during the foiled robbery.

Nyalunga was identified by witnesses as the person who had also come to pick up some of the robbers in her personal car, a white Audi hatchback. Upon further investigation, two other stolen vehicles were also found parked in her yard. It is alleged she had arranged a safe house for the suspects to keep their firearms in preparation for the heist, during which they wore police uniforms.

She informed the court that she was on the scene to remove her brother, as his life was in danger. It turned out her brother was also a suspect in a string of crimes that include being in alleged illegal possession of an AK-47. Some guns and ammunition were linked to the heist through a statement by his sister.

Nyalunga’s matter was postponed to September 27 for further investigation.