The DPCI Cash-In-Transit Task Team under Serious Organised Crime Investigation team of the Hawks, in conjunction with the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Provincial Local Record Centre (LCRC), ensured that Zwelakhe Ntengwana (30) appeared before the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on October 26, on allegations of being in possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, on October 24, the team conducted a disruptive operation in the Mthatha area to execute search warrants for the firearms that were allegedly used in CIT robberies.
Mhlakuvana said that reports indicate that a search was conducted in the first house but yielded no results, so the operation continued and crossed over to October 25, where the joint team executed another search warrant in a specific house in Mthatha.
“According to the revelations, it was divulged that whilst the joint operation was inside the yard, they spotted a maroon Volkswagen Polo that was in a parking allocation. However, the vehicle was suspected to be the one involved in some of the CIT robberies that occurred in the Mqanduli area,” said Mhlakuvana.
“According to the information, Ntengwana claimed to be the owner of the vehicle that was found in the parking bay, and he was carrying the vehicle keys. Preliminary investigation exposed that the said vehicle was allegedly stolen from Durban, KwaZulu Natal.”
Mhlakuvana said that the team reportedly entered the flat that was identified as one of the CIT wanted suspects
“Inside Ntengwana’s flat, the team discovered a licenced Astra 9mm pistol with live ammunition, two cell phones, two Gauteng Province vehicle registration plates, two pairs of gloves as well as two R10 notes that were impaired,” said Mhlakuvana.
“The team persisted with the search then found one woollen balaclava that was inside the vehicle.”
Furthermore, Mhlakuvana said that Ntengwana claimed to be employed by his father’s security company that is commonly known as Ninja security.
“The firearm with ammunition, vehicle, two cell phones, two vehicle registration plates, two pairs of gloves as well as two R10 notes that were impaired were confiscated for further investigation,” said Mhlakuvana.
As a result of the joint effort, Ntengwana was ultimately apprehended on October 25.
Mhlakuvana said that Ntengwana had his first court appearance in Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on October 26.
The matter was then remanded to November 2, for further investigation and Ntengwana was remanded in police custody.
Mhlakuvana said that the matter is still under investigation by the team of investigators of the Hawks.
