Two Mozambican nationals and a Zimbabwean national are among four men sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in a deadly cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery in Limpopo that claimed the life of a G4S escort driver.
Victor Mhlanga, 31, and David Matola, 55, both Mozambican nationals, and Solomon Moyo, 31, from Zimbabwe, were each sentenced to life imprisonment plus an additional 116 years by the Polokwane High Court on Tuesday, October 20.
Their co-accused, South African national Fannie Blessing Maselela, 36, was sentenced to life imprisonment plus an additional 115 years.
According to a statement issued by Hawks spokesperson Colonel Avele Fumba, the additional sentences will run concurrently with the life sentences imposed for murder. All four men were also declared unfit to possess firearms.
The case stems from a robbery on September 20, 2023, in the Klaasier area within the Hoedspruit policing precinct in the Mopani District.
Approximately 12 armed suspects allegedly attacked a G4S armoured vehicle, a truck and a Toyota bakkie during the incident.
The G4S escort driver was shot and killed, his firearm was stolen and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken.
Illegal firearms and commercial explosives were allegedly used during the robbery. Four suspects were shot and killed during the incident, while another was injured and arrested at the scene.
Further arrests followed with the assistance of members of the public.
The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Phalaborwa conducted the investigation, which linked Mhlanga, Matola, Moyo and Maselela to the crime.
The four men faced multiple charges, including murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of explosives and malicious damage to property.
Limpopo Hawks provincial head Major General (Adv.) Gobz Govender commended the investigating team and other role-players for their contribution to securing the convictions.
“No sentence can bring back a life taken or erase the pain of a grieving family. However, these sentences affirm that the life of the fallen escort driver mattered and that those held responsible have been brought to account,” Govender said.
He expressed hope that the sentences would bring some comfort to the bereaved family and praised the investigators and other role-players who worked to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
