Durban solid waste

juridical concept with hammer and lawbook, selective focus on metal part,toned f/x. Photo: Flickr/Paul and Kami McGuire

Hawks nab fugitive wanted for Stilfontein unwrought gold robbery

The suspect is currently out on bail.

Durban solid waste

juridical concept with hammer and lawbook, selective focus on metal part,toned f/x. Photo: Flickr/Paul and Kami McGuire

An operation led by the Hawks has yielded positive results. A man wanted in connection with an armed robbery in Stilfontein has been placed under arrest and charged with illegal possession of unwrought gold.

What we know about the Stilfontein unwrought gold robbery

According to police spokesperson, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso, a suspect, aged 43, who has been on the radar of the Hawks for months, has finally been nabbed.

This, Capt Rikhotso revealed in a statement, is connected to a case of robbery that was filed in Stilfontein, a mining town situated between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom, in February 2019.

It is believed that the 43-year-old was part of a group of armed robbers that allegedly stole unwrought gold worth R35-million from an undisclosed location in the small mining town, on 18 February.

Items Hawks recovered in key arrest, details of his charges

For months, Hawks cast a wide net in search of the suspects. It seemed, for quite a while, that the group had pulled off the perfect heist.

However, the resilient work of the investigating team yielded the much-needed break when tip-offs came in, on the whereabouts of the 43-year-old suspect, believed to be one of the wanted fugitives.

“The Hawks investigation team traced the suspect at a hideout in Sebenza, following information regarding his whereabouts,” Capt Rikhotso revealed.

The suspect’s hideout was raided and officers recovered:

  • a piece of unwrought gold, weighing 700 grams, estimated to be worth R500 000;
  • R900 000 in cash;
  • cellphones;
  • a diamond tester;
  • a diamond loop; and
  • gold transaction notes reflecting transactions in excess of R25-million.

The suspect was cuffed and thrown in jail with illegal possession of unwrought gold charges. However, Hawks investigators know that this charge will not keep the suspect in jail for too long.

The crucial part of the investigation is to tie the 43-year-old to February’s gold robbery, in Stilfontein.

The suspect appeared at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court, on Tuesday, where he was released on bail.