Elijah Rantsho (44), and Moeketsi Molwantwa (51) were sentenced to ten and five years’ imprisonment respectively at the Klerksdorp Regional Court on Friday.

According to NW Hawks’ spokesperson, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso, the two suspects were part of a group of armed suspects who robbed a G4S AV truck in Klerksdorp on 17 March 2011, after they fired at it and forced it to stop. “The suspects subsequently disarmed the guards before they fled the scene with R3.6 million.”

Rikhotso says the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation swiftly linked Rantsho and Molwantwa to the crime and they were arrested in Jourberton on 23 March 2011, a week after the incident.

“Following the pair’s arrest, they appeared at the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 25 March 2011 and bail was successfully opposed by the investigators. They remained in custody until they were ultimately convicted and sentenced. Rantso was sentenced to five years whilst Molwantwa got 10 years,” reported Rikhotso.

The provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Maj-Genl Patrick Mbotho commended the investigative efforts of the team.