logo
KZN security guards who staged CIT heist sentenced to 15 years in prison

KZN security guards who staged CIT heist sentenced to 15 years in prison

The Herald3 days ago
KwaZulu-Natal security guards Phakamani Myaka, 37, and Muzikayifani Khoza, 40, have been sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for fraud after they staged a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery.
Hawks provincial spokesperson Lt-Col Simphiwe Mhlongo said five security guards were transporting cash to the pension pay point at Mpolweni Reserve in Ndwedwe on October 11 2021.
While on route they claimed they were accosted by suspects who disarmed them and robbed them of an undisclosed amount of cash. The cash van was set alight and the "suspects" fled the scene. A case of CIT robbery was reported at Ndwedwe police station and the docket was allocated to the Hawks from the Durban serious organised crime investigation unit.
Mhlongo said preliminary investigations revealed the robbery was staged and all the security guards were involved. An amount of R60,000 was recovered from them and they were arrested. They appeared in court and were released on bail.
Two of the accused died in separate incidents while out on bail. Myaka and Khoza were sentenced on Tuesday. It wasn't immediately clear what happened to the fifth guard.
Myaka was further sentenced to three years' imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice. His sentence will run concurrently and the two were declared unfit to possess a firearm.
TimesLIVE
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bail granted to SANDF twelve embroiled in murderous scandal
Bail granted to SANDF twelve embroiled in murderous scandal

The South African

time10 hours ago

  • The South African

Bail granted to SANDF twelve embroiled in murderous scandal

On 11 July 2025, the Randburg Magistrate's Court granted R10 000 bail each to twelve South African National Defence Force officials. They are embroiled in a murderous scandal. Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa was gunned down on 6 August 2023. According to law enforcement, the shooting was an alleged plot by the 12 SANDF members. At the time of the incident, Mathipa was driving on the N1 highway near Hammanskraal. According to Hawks spokesperson, Katlego Mogale, the shooting caused Mathipa to lose control of his vehicle. He veered into a ditch and it resulted in his subsequent death. An investigation into Mathipa's death led the Hawks to Sunnybooi Pinny Wambi, Edward Albert van Deventer, David Mogaditswe, Kgosietsile Letsatsi, Samkelo Ngwenya and Jonathan Nteleza. Mogale said Paulos Matlou, Herbert Mashego, Solomon Lechoenyo, Jacob Mokoena, Richard Mpoetsi and Olyn Lenardus were also implicated. Lieutenant Colonel Mathipa was on duty when he was killed. He was a member of the Gauteng Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit of the Hawks. He was tasked with investigating crimes against the state. 'The accused are also allegedly linked to a case of kidnapping of two male foreign nationals at a mall in Midrand on 29 December 202,' Mogale continued. While the twelve celebrate temporary relief, Mogale has warned that it will be only for a week as they are due back in court next Thursday. Following the granting of bail, the Magistrate postponed the case to 17 July 2025, for the state to appeal the bail judgement.

'Cop impersonators' seek bail in religious leader's kidnapping and extortion case
'Cop impersonators' seek bail in religious leader's kidnapping and extortion case

IOL News

time11 hours ago

  • IOL News

'Cop impersonators' seek bail in religious leader's kidnapping and extortion case

Dilano Jarret Naidu. Image: Supplied THREE men, including the son of a former police officer, who allegedly kidnapped a Muslim religious leader on the pretext of being SAPS members and then demanded a R50 000 ransom, have asked the court to be released on bail in order to take care of their families. Dilano Jarret Naidu, 30, of Morningside; Selestian Cole Govender, 28, of Reservoir Hills; and Cornell Venketsamy, 22, of Overport, were arrested by members of the Hawks Provincial Tracking Team in May this year and charged with kidnapping, extortion, impersonating a police officer and robbery with aggravating circumstances. They also allegedly pretended to be Colonel Deena Govender of the Hawks. Naidu is facing additional charges of kidnapping, extortion, impersonating a police officer, robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud. During the bail application last Wednesday, State prosecutor Calvin Govender said the accused allegedly approached the victim, who is a moulana, showed him police badges and then drove around with him in the backseat of his vehicle in Overport in March. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Sivan Naidoo of the Hawks, in his affidavit, said the accused were charged with serious offences and he opposed bail. He said on March 22, 2025, the moulana, a foreign national, was lured to a fast food restaurant in Durban North by the accused on the pretext of purchasing sexual enhancement pills for men. Naidoo said upon reaching, the accused redirected the victim to a mall in Overport after noticing a metro police vehicle. He said the victim noticed the accused got into a white Suzuki Ertiga 6. Naidoo said in the mall parking lot, Naidu and Govender approached the victim's vehicle and identified themselves as policemen. 'They produced a police badge and 'placed him under arrest'. He was forced into the back seat of his vehicle at gunpoint.' Naidoo said the vehicle's child-lock was activated, and Govender sat with the victim, while Naidu drove his vehicle. He said the victim's cellphone was forcefully removed from him. Naidoo said the accused drove around with the victim for more than an hour, assaulting him and demanding a fee of R50 000 for his release. 'He was subsequently allowed to contact his brother-in-law after agreeing to pay an amount of R25 000. The investigating officer said Naidu then took the victim's cellphone and made further arrangements with his brother-in-law." He said they stopped the vehicle and Naidu got out of the driver's seat and jumped into the Suzuki. Naidoo said Govender then got into the driver's seat, and Venketsamy jumped into the back seat to guard the victim. He said they drove around with him and stopped at the entrance of Suncoast Casino. Naidoo said after about 20 minutes, they handed the victim his cellphone, got out of his vehicle and walked away. 'The victim got into the driver's seat and drove home. He spoke to his brother-in-law, who confirmed he paid R25 000 for his release." Naidoo said the accused are part of a syndicate that targeted businesses and known persons. He said unsuspecting victims are contacted by the accused, who claim to be from the Hawks or Provincial Organised Crime. 'They informed the victims that they are suspects in a rape matter, forward copies of fake warrants of arrests and J88s, and start extorting large amounts of money from them. There are also affidavits from at least eight other persons who the applicant (Naidu) contacted pretending to be a 'Captain Deena from organised crime in an attempt to extort them.' He said according to their investigation, Naidu's father's badge was used by the accused. 'The applicants used this tactic, with assistance of corrupt policemen, to rob or extort foreign national dealers in the Durban Point and Morningside areas.' Naidoo said he was confident that the State had a strong case against the accused and could secure a conviction. 'According to preliminary investigation, the applicants were running this scam for more than two years. I am convinced that the applicants will continue with their criminal conduct and interfere with the investigation should this honourable court release them on bail.' During his bid for bail, Naidu, in an affidavit read out by his attorney Shalen Naidoo, said he worked as a driver for a logistics and transport company and earned a salary of R12 500, which was used for his family's upkeep, purchase groceries, pay for his living expenses and towards his sister's tuition fees as a final year university student. He said his mother was unemployed and his father, who was a former police officer, received a monthly pension fund. Naidu added that should he stay in continued detention or custody, the prospects of him losing his job would be a certainty and he would no longer have the financial ability to support his family and himself. Selestian Cole Govender, in his affidavit read out by his attorney Arvina Harricharan, said he worked as a driver and dispatcher. He said he earned R8 000 a month and used this income to support his family and parents. Govender said he was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy in January 2021. 'I am aware that the correctional facility does have a hospital. However, I have been advised that they do not have the medication to treat my condition. I verily believe that my health condition and the financial aid I provide to my ailing mother should be considered as exceptional circumstances.' Govender said he was married and had two younger children, aged five and one, who needed the presence of their father. 'I have learnt that my son will be removed from school as the fees would not be paid due to my incarceration. My continued detention will cause prejudice to his rights to education. My family is struggling financially without me.' Venketsamy, who is also represented by Harricharan, in his affidavit, said he was employed as a welder and earned a salary R10 000. 'I use this income to assist my brother with the running of our home and for my personal needs.' Venketsamy said on or about April 1, 2025, he was injured and dislocated his right shoulder. He said the injury was still healing and required medication that could not be provided by the correctional facility's hospital. 'I am a welder by correct procedure to restore the full and proper use of my arm, which is required for my trade, is absolutely necessary.' The bail application continues. THE POST

Magistrate casts doubt on evidence against SANDF members accused of murdering Hawks investigator
Magistrate casts doubt on evidence against SANDF members accused of murdering Hawks investigator

Daily Maverick

time11 hours ago

  • Daily Maverick

Magistrate casts doubt on evidence against SANDF members accused of murdering Hawks investigator

Twelve SANDF members accused of triple murder – including the killing of Hawks detective Frans Mathipa – were granted bail by the Randburg Magistrates' Court on Friday, 11 July. Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe has described the case against 12 SANDF special forces members accused of murdering Hawks detective Frans Mathipa as circumstantial and weak. The 12 were granted R10,000 bail in the Randburg Magistrates' Court on Friday, 11 July. The names of the accused, which the court had previously barred the media from reporting, are: Sunnybooi Pinny Wambi, Edward Albert van Deventer, David Mogaditswe, Kgosietsile Letsatsi, Samkelo Ngwenya, Jonathan Nteleza, Paulos Matlou, Herbert Mashego, Solomon Lechoenyo, Jacob Mokoena, Richard Mpoetsi and Olyn Lenardus. Mathipa was shot on 6 August 2023, while driving on the N1 highway in Gauteng near the Hammanskraal off-ramp. He was on his way to a meeting, believed to be connected to his investigation into the special forces unit alleged to have conducted a kidnapping in 2022. The 12 soldiers also face two murder charges related to that case. They are accused of kidnapping and killing alleged Isis associate Abdella Abadiga and his bodyguard Kadir Abotese on 22 December 2022. The two have not been since they were allegedly kidnapped from the Mall of Africa and taken to Swartkop Military Base. They are presumed dead. 'At the time of the kidnapping, some of the applicants were not present during the crime,' Mkhasibe said. She said the State possessed no evidence of the kidnappings of Abadiga and Abotese. 'Mr Abadiga's vehicle was seen leaving the Mall of Africa, but none of the applicants were seen driving the vehicle,' Mkhasibe said. 'There is no evidence that the applicants killed Mr Abadiga and Mr Abotese,' she said. The court had heard that the 12 soldiers allegedly hired a hitman to eliminate the Hawks detective tasked with investigating Mathipa's murder, but the magistrate questioned the claim. 'The State advocate told the court that the applicants hired a hitman from KwaZulu-Natal to eliminate the detective, but there is no evidence,' Mkhasibe said. Mathipa was killed soon after requesting information from the SANDF regarding his investigation into the kidnapping. The matter ended up in court, and the SANDF was required to hand over the information, but it refused. Shortly thereafter, Mathipa was murdered. The court heard that the SANDF still hasn't handed over the information. It is alleged that members of the special forces unit faked a hijacking to get rid of the BMW they allegedly used to carry out Mathipa's murder. They lodged an insurance claim while the vehicle was, according to prosecutors, left at a scrapyard. The court heard that a burner phone used to allegedly lure Mathipa to his death was found inside the BMW. Some of the accused acknowledged their presence at the Mall of Africa during the alleged kidnapping, but they claimed they were on a training exercise. NPA 'disappointed' Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the State was disappointed that the accused were granted bail. 'It's a disappointing outcome. As the NPA, we had opposed the release of the applicants, but the court deemed them suitable candidates to be released on bail for a fixed bail amount of R10,000,' Mjinondwane said. She said the magistrate gave the NPA the green light to appeal against the decision, and that the State had put its best foot forward in this case. 'We are confident that we presented a comprehensive affidavit in court of how the accused are linked.' The appeal against the bail decision will be heard on 17 July. DM

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store