LIMPOPO – Four men convicted in connection with a deadly cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery that claimed the life of a G4S escort driver have each been sentenced to life imprisonment, with additional lengthy prison terms.
The Polokwane High Court handed down the sentences on 20 October following an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Phalaborwa.
Victor Mhlanga (31), David Matola (55) and Solomon Moyo (31) were each sentenced to life imprisonment plus an additional 116 years. Fannie Blessing Maselela (36) received life imprisonment plus an additional 115 years.
The additional sentences will run concurrently with the life sentences imposed for murder. All four men were also declared unfit to possess firearms.
Deadly robbery in Hoedspruit
The incident occurred on 20 September 2023 in the Klaasier area, within the Hoedspruit policing precinct in the Mopani District.
According to the Hawks, approximately 12 armed suspects attacked a G4S armoured vehicle, a truck and a Toyota bakkie. During the robbery, the G4S escort driver was shot and killed, his firearm was stolen and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken.
Illegal firearms and commercial explosives were allegedly used during the attack.
Four suspects were shot and killed during the incident, while another was injured and arrested at the scene. Further arrests followed, with assistance from members of the public.
Through sustained investigative work, the Hawks linked the four accused to the crime.
Multiple charges
The accused are Mozambican nationals Mhlanga and Matola, Zimbabwean national Moyo, and South African national Maselela.
They faced multiple charges, including murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of explosives, and malicious damage to property.
The investigation involved collaboration between the Hawks, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), farm watchers, members of the public and other role-players.
Hawks commend investigation team
Limpopo Hawks provincial head Major General (Adv.) Gobz Govender commended the investigating team and all those who contributed to securing the convictions and sentences.
“No sentence can bring back a life taken or erase the pain of a grieving family. However, these sentences affirm that the life of the fallen escort driver mattered and that those held responsible have been brought to account,” Govender said.
He expressed the hope that the outcome would bring some measure of comfort to the bereaved family, assuring them that their loved one had not been forgotten and that justice had taken its course.
Govender also paid tribute to the investigators and other role-players who worked together to bring those responsible to justice.
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