THREE Mpumalanga cops linked to a cash-in-transit heist were found in possession of an R5 rifle that was stolen at the Malamulele Police Station in Limpopo two years ago.
Investigating officer Warrant Officer Albert De Lange told the Tonga Magistrate Court on Thursday, 31 August, during the bail hearing of the three cops and four civilians.
Bhekifa Ngwenyama (30), Ali Obi Ebrahim (24), Lawrence Lubisi (44), Moosa Vilakazi (38), Collen Nonyane (44), Sunday Mashego (39) and Bhekinkosi Godi (39) were arrested in August.
They are facing charges of attempted murder, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and conspiracy to commit a crime, defeating the ends of justice and contravention of the explosive act.
Their arrests come after a Fidelity cash van was rammed with a Mercedes-Benz and a Ford Ranger during a cash-in-transit heist at Malelane.
It is alleged that on Friday, 11 August, the suspects collided with the cash van, after which it lost control and rolled.
The two security guards were removed, and several shots were fired from the scene as the armoured van was bombed.
De Lange said the cops attached to the White River flying squad unit possessed six rifles consisting of three AK47s, one Dash Pro rifle, a DM 4 rifle, and one R5.
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"All these firearms serial numbers were removed. With that were magazines filled with ammunition. It was 243 rounds. The firearms were sent for analysis, and it was determined that the ownership of the AK47s could not be determined," he said.
"The R5 rifle serial number was pitched, and it came to be a police firearm, R5, taken in Malamulele in 2021. This was taken in an armed robbery of a police station in Malamulele."
He added that a firearm belonging to a Fidelity security guard was also recovered from them, and a gun belonging to the accused four was not reported stolen.
De Lange said the state opposes bail on all suspects as they acted on a common purpose.
The matter was postponed to Monday, 04 September, for a bail hearing.
