Two former police officers, Zachariah Magopa and George Phaahla, both (41), were remanded in custody by the Vaalbank Magistrates Court onWednesday, December 18, for a cash-in-transit robbery.
According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Dineo Sekgotodi appearance follows after they were arrested by a team comprising of Middelburg based Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence Covert Section, Mpumalanga and Ekangala Flying Squad on a J50 warrant of arrest respectively
It was reported that on February 01 2021, the G4S armoured vehicle was attacked by an unknown number of african males at Senotlelo area. The suspects robbed 5.8 million rand, and the case docket was referred to Middelburg based Serious Organised Crime Investigationfor further probe.
“During the investigation, two police officers from Vaalbank police station were identified as involved in the crime and further information revealed that Sgt Phaahla used the state vehicle to collect firearms in Kwamhlanga and gave them to Constable Magopa,”
“These firearms were used to attack the G4S AV, and both police officers were arrested, and both made cofessions. Vehicles used to commit the crimes were recovered, and two further vehicles were recovered,” she said.
Sekgotodi, added that during the investigation, an undisclosed amount of cash was seized from Constable Magopa. Both police officials appeared before Vaalbank Magistrate’s Court on February 11 2021.
The third suspect, Bongumusa Jele, was arrested at Kanyamazane and placed on the court roll together with the other accused. The case docket appeared several times before Vaalbank Magistrates court until 25 August 2021, when it was struck off the roll dueto outstanding forensics reports.
“Investigation continued, and all outstanding matters together with forensics reports were obtained. The docket was referred to the Public Prosecutor resulting in all three suspects were re-arrested and placed back on court roll. On December 17, ex Const Magopa was arrested with J50 in Siyabuswa, and detained at Vaalbank holding cells,” explained Sekgotodi.
On December 18Sgt Phaahla was arrested with J50 at his workplace and both suspects appeared before Vaalbank Magistrates court and the matter postponed to February 7 2025 pending an outstanding suspect who is detained at Witbank Prison for another cash-in-transit matter.
