Two former police officers, Sergeant George Phaahla (41) and Constable Zachariah Magopa (41), were remanded in custody by the Vaalbank Magistrates Court for a cash-in-transit robbery.
Their appearance comes after they were arrested by a team comprising Middelburg-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence Covert Section, Mpumalanga, and Ekangala Flying Squad, acting on J50 warrants of arrest respectively.
Reports indicate that on 01 February 2021, an unknown number of African males attacked a G4S armoured vehicle in the Senotlelo area, making off with R5.8 million. The case was referred to the Middelburg-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit for further probe.
During the investigation, two police officers from Vaalbank police station were implicated in the crime and further investigation revealed that Sgt Phaahla used a state vehicle to collect firearms in Kwa-Mhlanga and gave them to Constable Magopa.
These firearms were used to attack the G4S AV, and both police officers were arrested, and both made confessions. Vehicles used to commit the crimes were recovered, and two further vehicles were recovered.
During the investigation, an undisclosed amount of cash was seized from Constable Magopa. Both police officials appeared before Vaalbank Magistrates Court on 11 February 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 due to outstanding forensics reports.
Investigation continued, and all outstanding matters together with forensic reports were obtained. The docket was referred to the Public Prosecutor, resulting in all three suspects being re-arrested and placed back on the court roll.
On 17 December 2024, Former Const Magopa was arrested with J50 in Siyabuswa, and detained at Vaalbank holding cells.
On 18 December 2024, Former Sgt Phaahla was arrested with J50 at his workplace and both suspects appeared before Vaalbank Magistrates Court. The matter was postponed to 27 February 2025 pending an outstanding suspect who is detained at Witbank Prison for another cash-in-transit matter.
Investigation continues.
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