Duo convicted for Cash-in transit robbery

Picture: Logo of the Hawks

Sourced

By: Staff Reporter

The 42-year-old Ignatious Sibusiso Mashinini, whose middle finger was removed during a shoot-out with the police has finally been convicted.

Mashinini and co-accused, Sello Serumula aged 43, were found guilty of robbery, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and theft of motor vehicle by the Free State High Court sitting in Bloemfontein on Monday 29.

The convicted robbers rammed into a cash van on 4 September 2020 in Bloemfontein.

They proceeded to steal firearms belonging to security personnel and used explosives to blast open a safe.

Members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Mangaung Metro Task Team reacted in lightning speed and gave chase.

They cornered the getaway vehicle following heavy fire exchange, this is where Serumula was arrested.

Cash, firearms including those of high calibre, ammunition, and explosives were recovered.

It was also discovered that suspects were behind a spate of hijackings and theft of motor vehicles in Gauteng.

These vehicles were used during cash-in-transit robberies and later used as getaway or burned.

A middle finger which was later confirmed as that of Mashinini was found on the crime scene.

In an apparent dash to escape, he had left his valuable piece of evidence behind.

On 13 November 2020, he was positively linked to the robbery and traced to Benoni where he was hiding.

Free State head of the Directorate for priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), General Mokgadi Bokaba applauded all officers involved for their bravery and unrelenting investigation.

The duo will be sentenced on 4 March 2024.