Law enforcement officers included in the group detained

A ninth suspect, 33-year-old Mpendulo Absina Hassane, is set to appear before the Malelane Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in connection with a cash-in-transit robbery that occurred in Mpumalanga.

The Hawks, also known as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, announced that Hassane appeared in court on Monday and was remanded in custody until Wednesday. Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, spokesperson for the Hawks in Mpumalanga, stated that Hassane is expected to apply for bail.

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Hassane, who had been wanted for cash-in-transit robbery, was arrested on Saturday, November 11, during a multi-disciplinary “disruptive operation” involving the Hawks in Mpumalanga, the National Intervention Unit, and the Crime Intelligence units of the South African Police Service (SAPS) based in Mbombela.

Sekgotodi explained that the arrest was made after the suspect’s fingerprints were linked to the Malelane cash-in-transit case, which took place on August 11 along the R570 Malelane Road to Schoemansdal.

Previously, eight men, including three police officers from the White River Flying Squad, were arrested in connection with the August 11 heist. The three police officers and three other co-accused have been released on bail.

The nine men, including Hassane, are accused of carrying out the cash-in-transit heist in Malelane, where a Fidelity armoured truck was heavily bombed and R8,000 in coins were stolen.

Sekgotodi provided further details on the robbery, stating, “During the robbery, two getaway vehicles were used and later recovered at a safehouse in Buffelspruit.

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The Local Criminal Records Center Nelspruit attended the scene and retrieved fingerprints on the Ford Ranger, which was later linked to Mpendulo Hassane. A warrant of arrest was authorized, and Hassane was sought for months without success.

The suspect was circulated on media platforms on several occasions.”

On Saturday morning, the Hawks received information regarding Hassane’s whereabouts in KaNyamazane. The law enforcement team successfully traced him to his hiding place, and the warrant of arrest was executed.

With the arrest of Hassane, the number of accused persons in the Malelane cash-in-transit case now stands at nine, according to Sekgotodi.

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In a separate incident, the three police officers, identified as sergeants Collen Suprian Nonyane, Sunday Peace Mashego, and Bhekinkosi Stanley Goddi, were arrested after police followed up on information regarding a SAPS Flying Squad vehicle transporting illegal firearms on August 17 in Malelane, Mpumalanga. Sibusiso Musa Vilakazi was also arrested and added to the list of suspects.

The arrests highlight the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat cash-in-transit robberies and bring those responsible to justice.

The Hawks, in collaboration with other units of the SAPS, continue to work diligently to apprehend individuals involved in such crimes and ensure the safety of the public.

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