Thabile President Manyatela (35), Phikolomzi Goodwill Mntonitshi (27), and Andile Mngqibisi (50) appeared before the Queenstown Magistrates Court on January 11, facing charges of murder, attempted murder, theft of a motor vehicle, attempted robbery, fraud and possession of unlicensed firearms.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana the trio were arrested by the Queenstown-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) of the Hawks jointly with Gqeberha SOCI, Crime Intelligence Gathering (CIG), Dog Unit (K9) and Tactical Response Team (TRT) on August 29, 2023, for allegations of murder, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms. They remained in custody since their arrest.
“Their arrest emanated from the information which was followed up on the foiled cash-in-transit (CIT) heist in Kamesh, in Kariega on August 28, 2023, where a bystander was allegedly fatally wounded,” said Mhlakuvana.
Mhlakuvana said that after processing the crime scene in Kamesh, the Isuzu long base delivery van (LDV) which was allegedly used in the foiled CIT was followed.
“The information about a silver and white Polo working in collaboration with the Isuzu in question was also confirmed,” said Mhlakuvana.
“The vehicles were followed departing Gqeberha towards Komani.”
Mhlakuvana said that the joint law enforcement agents in Komani allegedly instructed the suspicious vehicles to pull over.
“Upon pulling over, the suspects reportedly started shooting at the police. A shootout ensued where three suspects were arrested when the dust settled. One of the suspects was injured and taken to hospital for medical attention,” said Mhlakuvana.
Mhlakuvana further said that through a comprehensive and intensive investigation by the Gqeberha-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Hawks, the trio was positively linked to the Kamesh cash-in-transit robbery.
The suspects appeared before the Queenstown Magistrate’s court on January 11, and the matter was remanded to March 15, for a high court date.
The Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya expressed his gratitude and the job well done by the investigation team of the Hawks in making sure that criminality has a limited space in the province.
He encouraged the team to squeeze every space of criminality to reduce crime.
