Cash in transit robbery that claimed the lives of two hawks officers. Image: Jnews
Hawks: Cash in transit robber arrested for murder of two officers
North West Hawks Spokesperson Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso said the armed gang allegedly shot and forced a cash security van off the road.
Cash in transit robbery that claimed the lives of two hawks officers. Image: Jnews
Jabulani Moses Yika was arrested in connection with a cash-in-transit robbery that claimed the lives of two Hawks officers.
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ROBBERY CLAIMS LIVES OF TWO OFFICERS
The cash-in-transit robbery took place in Mahikeng on 6 March 2020. This led to the fatal shooting of Detective Warrant Officer Delene Grobler-Koonin, 44, and Detective Warrant Officer Wynand Herbst, 42.
North West Hawks Spokesperson Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso said the armed gang allegedly shot and forced a cash security van off the road.
The robbers attempted to blow the van open and then ordered the security officers out of the vehicle and took both their firearms.
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HAWKS SPOKESPERSON ON THE INCIDENT
“No access was gained into the safe on the vehicle. At that point, members of the National Intervention Unit approached the suspects and the suspects fled off, leading to a resultant high-speed chase,” Rikhotso said.
Rikhotso said later in the day, the suspects were cornered at a Total garage near Coligny. Another shootout took place and Detective Warrant Officer Wynand Herbst was shot during the crossfire.
“Three suspects were fatally wounded and two were arrested. Warrant Officer Herbst succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital”.
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YIKA SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IMPRISONMENT
Yika, who was involved in the cash-in-transit robbery that claimed the lives of the two Hawks officers was sentenced before the Mmabatho High Court on 17 February 2023.
He was sentenced to thirty years in imprisonment. Meanwhile, the case against the other accused has been remanded to 27 February 2023 for trial.
Solomon Ngubeni,47, Musa Mkhavela,33, Terefe Demmissie,39, Edgar Marule,47 Simphiwe Msibi,24, Jabulane Sibisi,53, Omphile Maswabi,33, and Thuso Tshepo Lobelo,31, made their court appearances and face charges of murder, attempted murder, pre-meditated murder, possession of firearms, possession of ammunition, possession of explosives and malicious property damage, as reported by News24.
