eMalahleni is once again on the map. This time not for electricity, pothole or water issues, but the sentencing of the men who carried out one of the biggest cash robberies ever in South Africa.
The accused, who include three former police officers amongst them a former commander of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime unit in Mpumalanga, Bhekane Welcome Gcabashe (48), and two other former officers, Lekele Reckon Lekola (46) and Tamsanqua Gladstone Khubeka (36) and Petra December Nkosi (31), Elmond Jackie Matlala (41), Robert John Clack (27), Lesly Skhumbuzo Khathi (35), Enock Siphiwe Khumalo (53), Elkin Sibusiso Shabangu (39), Nathaniel Zithulele Hlathi (44), Titus Maila (45), Teenage Mabogoane (34) and Desmond Moses Abdullah Mohlamonyane (43) were sentenced to 20 years prison term each by the Delmas High Court on Friday, February 9.
The 13 accused were sentenced to 20 years each on Friday, February 9.
The accused were convicted of conspiracy to murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
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The robbers thought that April 27, 2014 would be payday for them as they gained entry into the SBV cash depot under the false pretence that they were from SBV head office and were being accompanied by police officers. They claimed that they were on the premises to investigate an alleged crime and to question employees at the warehouse.
Once they were inside the premises they overpowered staff and security.
They then broke into a safe using an industrial drill and got away with approximately R105 million.
Read the FULL STORY in this week’s edition of the WITBANK NEWS
