Wellington ‘Bibi’ Cenenda: Cash-in-transit heist ringleader has been captured

The most wanted man in South Africa, Wellington ‘Bibi’ Cenenda, the suspected syndicate ringleader behind at least 23 cash-in-transit (CIT) heists, has eventually been arrested after evading active police investigations for almost a month.

According to Times Live, sources close to law enforcement have confirmed the arrest of Cenenda, following extensive investigative efforts undertaken by various law enforcement agencies around the country.

The 38-year-old criminal mastermind from Tembisa is alleged to have looted at least R46 million from CIT vehicles over the past two years. He has been linked to heists in Gauteng‚ Mpumalanga‚ North West Province and Limpopo.

Cenenda was apprehended in Bloemfontein on Thursday night.

Wellington ‘Bibi’ Cenenda slipped up

While keen-eyed law enforcement agencies have been trying to track down the infamous robber for almost a month, all it took was one silly mistake on Cenenda’s part for the net to properly close in.

According to a police source, police on patrol noticed a vehicle which they deemed suspicious. The vehicle was stopped and investigated, with the police source saying:

“He made a stupid mistake. Police officers from Bloemfontein were on patrol when they spotted a car that they became suspicious of. They stopped the car‚ which was stolen‚ and while questioning the driver they realised that it was Bibi.”

Hawks swoop on Cenenda

Cenenda’s arrest comes following the capture of most of his main lieutenants, who were all involved in deadly CIT heists, including Errol Velile Present‚ who worked at ANC headquarters Luthuli House and was the party’s Dobsonville branch secretary.

It was previously reported that the elite law enforcement agency, Hawks, were closing the net on Cenenda, following the capture of his close associates. Police maintained that the arrest of Cenenda was the final piece needed to fit the CIT heist puzzle together.

Following Cenenda’s arrest in Bloemfontein, Hawks officials were immediately called to the scene.

Hawks spokesman‚ Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi‚ said:

“Cenenda will appear in court today [Friday]. He will appear in the Kriel Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on charges of murder‚ attempted murder‚ armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.”

The Sunday Times previously reported that:

“For months‚ the team tracking Cenenda’s gang have worked out of a tiny room in downtown Johannesburg. Backed by crime intelligence agents‚ cybercrime experts‚ forensic analysts and detectives‚ they have gathered cellphone records‚ bank statements‚ title deeds and data on vehicles and firearms.”

Since January 2018, 178 heists have been committed, leading to the deaths of 17 people, and leaving 93 seriously injured.