Cash-in-transit: Armed suspects kill driver, flee with stationery-filled bags

A second suspect linked to a fatal cash-in-transit (CIT) heist that took place in April was arrested on Wednesday, 26 May, by the Hawks’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in Mpumalanga.

The suspect, Lucky Surprise Maseko, 24, was arrested for his suspected involvement in the heist, murder and theft of motor vehicles.

CIT HEIST LEAVES DRIVER DEAD, SUSPECTS EMPTY HANDED

 A group of armed men allegedly attacked a CIT truck outside a petrol station in Kabokweni, in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality, on 16 April, while security staff were loading cash, according to Hawks Mpumalanga (SAPS) spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi.

“The suspects allegedly fired several shots, fatally wounding the driver,” said Sekgotodi. “They allegedly grabbed several bags and fled the scene in a white BMW and a grey Toyota Hilux bakkie.”

The cash-in-transit security company later confirmed that the bags the suspects grabbed contained stationery and no money was stolen.

A few days after the incident, the Hawks traced the vehicles that were used in the heist to a house at Mahushu in Masoyi. “It was discovered that the bakkie was stolen at Matsulu and BMW was hijacked at KaNyamazane,” said Sekgotodi.

Sydney Mokoena, 41, the owner of the house, was taken into custody and charged for the possession of suspected stolen vehicles on 18 April – later on he was also linked to the CIT heist.

Both of the accused, Mokoena and Maseko, appeared in the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court – on 20 April and 26 May, respectively – where they were remanded in custody until 4 June.

The suspects will share the dock when they make their next court appearance and apply for bail in June.