A security guard was arrested on Wednesday, 28 July 2021 in connection with a Macassar cash-in-transit heist that ended in a shoot-out with the police in Stellenbosch on 29 April 2021.
The 42-year-old security guard working for SBV in Epping was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team through a further probe. It is reported that on the day of the heist at Macassar shopping centre, several robbers armed with assault rifles got away before they could get the money, in several vehicles which included an Audi and a Fortuner after they were interrupted by the presence of the local police at Macassar shopping centre.
The suspects reportedly took off towards Stellenbosch and Kayamandi township and their alleged vehicles were spotted turning into one of the main streets in Stellenbosch where there was another exchange of gunfire with the police. Two vehicles, a polo, and a caddy were hijacked as several suspects fled with the said vehicles which included a minibus taxi. They allegedly abandoned the caddy in Mfuleni where it was found with one of their accomplices burned down to ashes.
Three suspects that included Milton Vundla, Simosakhe Ngxono, and Sakhumzi Dlongwana Manciphi were arrested in connection with the heist and their getaway vehicles were recovered along with three assault rifles upon their arrest. They were charged with murder, attempted murder as well as cash-in-transit robbery.
Preliminary investigation by the Hawks established that the security guard allegedly communicated with one of the robbers. He is expected to make his first appearance at Somerset West Magistrate Court on Friday, 30 July 2021.