- One of the five men arrested in connection with the botched cash-in-transit heist in Town Two, Khayelitsha, appeared in court on Tuesday 13 August, after being re-arrested on Monday 12 August.
- The 46-year-old suspect, who was hospitalized after an exchange of fire with police, faces charges including possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, possession of explosives, and attempted murder.
- The community is calling for justice, with a local leader praising the police efforts and urging the state to re-arrest the three suspects who were released earlier, citing the danger the culprits pose to the community.
One of the five men arrested in Town Two nearly two weeks ago, in connection with the botched cash-in transit heist, appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 13 August following his re-arrest on Monday 12 August.
The 46-year-old man is appearing in court again today (15 August). He is one of the two men who have been in hospital since an exchange of fire with the police on Monday 5 August. Eight people were killed and five arrested during the incident (“Eight ambushed” City Vision, 8 August).
Three men were released by the court of Thursday 8 August after a legal representative for one of the accused argued that they had been in police custody for over 48 hours.
The fifth suspect, a 24-year-old is still in hospital under police guard.
The provincial Hawks spokesperson Lt-Col Siyabulela Vukubi said the two are charged with possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, possession of explosives and attempted murder.
“(He) appeared briefly at the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court on Tuesday 13 August. It was further established that he is currently on parole on another matter where he was arrested during 2022 and released in 2023. (The second accused) is currently in hospital under police guard,” said Vukubi.
He stated that both accused are allegedly involved in an incident that occurred on Monday 5 August where they were caught with an assortment of firearms, explosives and ammunition in Town two, Khayelitsha.
Khayelitsha community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of harassment, praised the officers for doing a great job. He said they want the culprits to rot in jail.
“The calibre of weapons that the culprits were carrying shows that they are dangerous to the community. They don’t deserve to stay with people. They must go and stay with other criminals in jail,” he said and urged the state to re-arrest the other three suspects that were released.
