An armed cash-in-transit robber’s middle finger has provided the police with sufficient evidence to bring him to book alongside his accomplice. Ignatious Sibusiso Mashinini (42) and his co-accused, Sello Lucky Serumula (43), were convicted by the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein on 29 January.
The two were found guilty of robbery, attempted murder, the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and car theft.
The armed robbery was committed on 4 September 2020 in Bloemfontein. The convicted pair were part of an organised syndicate that ambushed a cash-in-transit vehicle.
While other syndicate members manged to evade arrest, the police arrested Serumula and Mashinini.
Sello Lucky Serumula
Col Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said Mashinini lost his middle finger during the ensuing shoot-out with members of the police. The police forensics found the finger at the scene.
“A middle finger, which was found on the crime scene, was later confirmed as that of Mashinini. In an apparent dash to escape, he had left this valuable piece of evidence behind. On 13 November 2020, he was positively linked to the robbery and traced to Benoni where he was hiding,” said Mohobeleli.
He said the cash-in-transit armed robbers rammed into a cash van on 4 September.
“They took firearms belonging to security personnel and used explosives to blast open a safe. Members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and the Mangaung Metro Task Team reacted at lightning speed and gave chase. They cornered the getaway vehicle following a heavy exchange of fire.
“This is where Serumula was arrested. Cash, firearms including those of high calibre, ammunition, and explosives were recovered,” said Mohobeleli.
He said investigations also revealed that the suspects were behind a spate of hijackings and theft of cars in Gauteng.
“These vehicles were used during cash-in-transit robberies and later used as a getaway or burnt,” said Mohobeleli.
Mashinini and Serumula will reappear in the Free State High Court on 4 March.
