A 24-year-old man, Thomas Zwiafana Nethavhani, was remanded in custody after appearing in the Mutale Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on charges related to a violent cash-in-transit robbery. Nethavhani is facing four serious charges, including cash-in-transit robbery, defeating the ends of justice, conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravating circumstances, and attempted murder. He was arrested on December 5, 2024, following a thorough investigation by the Hawks’ Musina-based serious organised crime unit, supported by the tactical response team of Vhembe district. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court again on Wednesday.
The charges stem from a robbery that took place in July 2023 at the Tshilamba Mutale complex in Makhado. On that day, members of G4S Cash Solutions arrived at the complex to collect money from a shop. However, when the G4S guard was informed that the cash available for collection was insufficient, he returned to his vehicle only to be confronted by two armed suspects. The robbers pointed firearms at the guard and stole an empty cross-pavement carrier, a firearm, and 14 rounds of ammunition. In a violent move, the suspects fired three shots at the G4S truck before fleeing the scene in a red BMW.
Following the robbery, a case docket was opened and registered at Mutale police station. The investigation was soon taken over by the Musina-based Hawks serious organised crime investigation unit, which quickly began its work to trace the suspects. One of the major breakthroughs came with the discovery of the stolen cross-pavement carrier, which had been discarded in the bushes at Thengwe-Tsithuthuni village. The Hawks linked Nethavhani to the crime through DNA evidence, which led to his eventual arrest.
Last week, the Hawks, in collaboration with the Thohoyandou tactical response team, launched a disruptive operation known as “Robust tracing.” The operation culminated in the successful arrest of Nethavhani at Thengwe-Vuvha village, situated just outside Thohoyandou. His arrest marks a significant victory for the Hawks, who have been working tirelessly to combat cash-in-transit heists, a crime that has plagued many parts of South Africa.
At his court appearance, Nethavhani was formally charged with multiple offenses, including cash-in-transit robbery and attempted murder. The accused remains behind bars while the case has been postponed to Wednesday, when a bail hearing is expected to take place. The Hawks have praised the successful operation and the diligent work of their team in bringing the suspect to justice. The law enforcement efforts demonstrate the ongoing commitment to tackling organised crime and ensuring that criminals involved in such violent robberies face the consequences of their actions.
Limpopo’s provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Gopz Govender, expressed his gratitude and admiration for the dedicated officers involved in the investigation and the subsequent arrest. He acknowledged their perseverance in solving complex crimes and praised their role in ensuring public safety. The Hawks’ efforts to disrupt criminal networks involved in cash-in-transit crimes continue to be a top priority, with this latest arrest serving as a reminder of their resolve to combat organised crime across the province.
