BOTSHABELO: Two suspected cash-in-transit robbers arrested in connection with the recent brazen heist on N8 near Botshabelo are due to appear in the Botshabelo Magistrate’s Court today – Friday, 19 September. This is the culmination of ongoing investigations by a multi-disciplinary police team which made the breakthrough, arresting the first suspect Keketso Muso (35) a day after the robbery which occurred on 2 September at about 09:00. The team comprised the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI), Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Visible Policing, Explosives Unit, and the Local Criminal Record Center (LCRC).
WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the second suspect, a 58-year-old man had been on the run from the police. She said the two suspects are charged with armed robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition relating to the Firearms Control Act. Matoti said the two suspects will appear to apply for bail.
“The second suspect is the owner of the house in Section H Botshabelo where two vehicles, including several rifles, ammunition and explosives were recovered shortly after the robbery,” said Matoti. She said the deadly weapons discovered were assault rifles, a pistol, rounds of ammunition. In addition, the police confiscated items including bullet-resistant vests and clothing items as well as an unknown concoction inside a bottle.
Matoti said intelligence-driven information led the team to a house in Botshabelo, east of Bloemfontein. She said one of the getaway vehicles was reported as stolen in Bloemfontein in May this year. At the time Muso was arrested in Botshabelo, he was driving one of the cars.
Matoti said the group of heavily armed men travelling in a BMW reportedly rammed into a cash vehicle, resulting in it overturning. They ambushed the cash van a few kilometres outside the town. They managed to take an undisclosed amount of cash and thereafter fled the scene in a grey Toyota Hilux, driving in the direction of Botshabelo.
Matoti said the police do not rule out the possibility of the robbers’ involvement in other robberies, adding that the investigations are ongoing. The possibility of a connection follows 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 an arrest.
