BLOEMOFNTEIN: The police in the greater Mangaung Metro are continuing investigations into armed robbery and the leveraging thereof, including the cash-in-transit heist that was committed on the N8 on 2 September. The heist came just seven days after a 40-year-old man from Botshabelo had been arrested and questioned over what was apparently false claims about planned armed robbery expected to take place in the Mangaung Metro.
He was arrested on 26 August regarding allegations that he demanded money in exchange for information about planned armed robberies in Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. The man was arrested and charged with fraud and extortion. He allegedly made telephone calls to various businesses to “alert” them about planned robberies. These businesses include a cash-in-transit management security company, supermarkets, and a construction equipment and home improvement retail store.
In the other case, police efforts resulted in the arrest and court appearance of one male suspect regarding the cash-in-transit heist last week. This was made possible by a multi-disciplinary police team that comprised the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (Soci) team, Crime Intelligence, teh Tactical Response Team (TRT), Visible Policing, Explosives Unit, and the Local Criminal Record Center (LCRC).
The suspect appeared in the Botshabelo Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 5 September. Charges include cash-in-transit robbery, attempted murder, illegal possession of rifles and firearms, illegal possession of prohibited firearms, and illegal possession of ammunition. The arrest came a day after the incident, which resulted in disruption of traffic for the duration of the day. The heist reportedly occurred at about 09:00, west of Botshabelo.
WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said intelligence-driven information led the team to a house in Section H, Botshabelo, where critical incriminating evidence was found.
“Two vehicles fitting the description of those used in the robbery were found. A search of the house and vehicles led to the discovery of several assault rifles. These include a pistol, rounds of ammunition, bullet-resistant vests, clothing items, and an unknown concoction inside a bottle. A vehicle was also recovered,” said Matoti. She said one of the recovered vehicles had been reported as stolen in Bloemfontein in May this year.
The arrestee is linked to a group of heavily armed men who reportedly rammed into the cash vehicle with a BMW. This resulted in the vehicle overturning, with the syndicate then taking an undisclosed amount of cash and fleeing the scene in a grey Toyota Hilux, driving in the direction of Botshabelo.
Matoti said the police did not rule out the possibility that the robbers could be linked to other robberies. Such prospects of a connection follow a heist on the N8 on 4 July near the Mandela View settlement. Explosives were used to blow up the vehicle, causing a complete road closure. The police are yet to make a arrest.
