Boksburg – Five suspects involved in a violent cash-in-transit heist on Atlas Road, Boksburg, have collectively received 190 years of prison time for their roles in the crime. The suspects targeted two SBV armored trucks, committing offenses that included armed robbery, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, and causing explosions.
During the investigation, one of the accused, a security guard named Thato Gaopatswe, attracted suspicion by flaunting a lavish lifestyle on social media. Authorities discovered R1.2 million in stolen cash at his residence.
Below are the individual sentences, totaling 190 years:
Collen Zwelakhe Hadebe (49), also implicated in the heist, will stand trial on March 7, 2025, after his case was postponed.
This high-profile case underscores the ongoing threat of cash-in-transit robberies in South Africa. Law enforcement agencies have vowed to intensify operations against criminal syndicates targeting armored vehicles and financial institutions.
