Police seek more suspects for guard’s murder during armed Centurion robbery

The Hawks are looking for an unknown number of suspects wanted for murdering a G4S security guard during an armed cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery at a supermarket in Mnandi, Centurion last month.

Three men, aged between 25 and 30, have already been arrested in connection to the robbery, according to police spokesperson Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu.

The men, facing charges of murder and armed robbery, appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Wednesday, March 9.

Charges against Edgar Oupa Mamabolo (30) and Nkosinathi Mngunu (30) were, however, provisionally withdrawn pending investigation, while Sabelo Lawrence Masemola (25) was remanded in custody.

On February 25, a group of men attacked the G4S security guards at 15:00 at the Mnandi’s SPAR on Tulip Road.

They fled with a safety cash deposit box containing an undisclosed amount of money.

Police later found the safety cash deposit box abandoned not far from the crime scene in Olievenhoutbosch.

A multi-disciplinary operation was conducted by the Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation in Pretoria.

They were joined by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Special Law Enforcement Unit (SLEU), Tracker, Tactical Operations Management Services (TOMS) and ER24 in Olievenhoutbosch on Monday evening.

Mulamu said the authorities had since successfully traced and positively linked suspects at their Olievenhoutbosch residence and apprehended them.

She said police seized electric gadgets together with a pistol magazine and ammunition for further investigation at a suspect’s residence.

“The trio was subsequently charged with murder of the G4S security guard and armed robbery.”

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Mulamu said outstanding suspects were sought, while the case has been postponed to March 17, 2022, for a formal bail application and further investigation.

G4S Cash Solutions offered a reward of up to a million rands for information that could lead to the arrest of the guard’s killers.

Kevin Govender, CIT director for the company, said the reward was “for credible, useful information leading to the successful arrest, prosecution and conviction of the criminals who killed the guard”.

According to Govender, the guard was loading a secure cross-pavement cash collection unit into an armoured vehicle when he was shot with an R5 rifle.

“The criminals absconded with the cash device, but were unable to access any cash as the security technology installed across G4S devices is aimed at rendering the money unusable.

“Two of the perpetrators were caught on CCTV, wearing distinctive clothing.”

Govender said they were devastated by the tragic and senseless loss.

The company conveyed its condolences to the deceased’s family and said it would ensure that the family was well looked after.

“We are making it a priority to ensure these criminals are held to account.

“CIT and cross-pavement attacks are becoming more violent. This is deeply concerning because it puts the lives of our people in danger. In addition, these senseless attacks are futile as the technology we use means any cash stolen is completely unusable,” Govender said.

“Our message to would-be criminals is clear: don’t bother attacking our teams because you won’t get away with anything of value.

“There are not enough prosecutions and convictions to deter these criminals. ”

He called on crime intelligence, the SAPS, the Hawks and the NPA and the ministers who lead them, to prioritise CIT crimes.

Anyone with information can call Ray Barlow on 083 324 3460 or Shaun Maleo on 083 750 4042. This information can be shared anonymously.

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