Fourth person in Oudtshoorn money heist arrested

Update

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Four suspects, of whom three are from Thembalethu, have thus far been arrested in connection with a money heist at a fuel station in Oudtshoorn on Monday 19 July.

The incident took place when Fidelity Cash Solutions security guards were robbed while collecting cash from the Atlantic Oil filling station opposite the Bridgton Police Station.

One of the security guards was allegedly accosted by two armed suspects on his way back to his armoured vehicle. He was disarmed of his service pistol and robbed of a bag containing R86 000 in cash.

The three from Thembalethu, Masixole Dolomba (27), Simphiwe Matwa (41) and Lwandiso Lento (36), were arrested near George shortly after the incident on 19 July.

The fourth suspect, a SANDF captain from the Infantry School in Oudts-hoorn, Sakhele Thembalekhaya Nkabi (36), was arrested on Friday 23 July by the Hawks National Priority Violent Crimes team (NPVC) assisted by the Attaqua K9 Unit from Oudtshoorn.

He appeared in the Oudtshoorn Magistrate's Court on Monday 26 July.

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According to Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani, it cannot yet be confirmed whether these suspects could be linked to recent armed robberies in George, but all possibilities are being investigated.

"This office cannot, at this stage, comment further on the matter as it is sub judice. The case has been postponed for a formal bail application where such information, if available, will be provided by the investigating officer to the court. The investigation is ongoing," she said.

The money and the firearm stolen from the guards in Oudtshoorn, were recovered during the arrest of the three suspects. The vehicle they were travelling in, a silver Nissan Sentra, was pulled over shortly after the incident near the turn-off to Blanco on the Outeniqua Pass near George.

"The members came across the stolen money while searching the Nissan," said Hani.

Two firearms as well as an army jacket with Nkabi's name, rank and a loyal service medal on it were also found in the vehicle. The serial number of one of the firearms had been removed.

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"Further investigation indicated that a white Toyota Tazz with forged number plates was also used in the robbery and that Nkabi was driving this vehicle. The Tazz was used as the getaway vehicle. The suspected robbers drove the vehicle to another part of the town where they transferred the stolen goods to the Sentra and drove off, " said Hani.

She said the Hawks followed up on several clues from detectives in Oudtshoorn and found the Tazz parked in a yard in Park Road near the Infantry School. The forged licence plates used in the robbery were found inside the vehicle.

All four suspects are in custody and will appear in court again on 3 August for their formal bail application.

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