COURT DISMISSES DEFENCE’S APPLICATION TO DISCHARGE ACCUSED IN ROSETTENVILLE CIT ROBBERY CASE
The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Johannesburg, has dismissed the defence’s application to discharge the accused in the Rosettenville cash-in-transit (CIT) heist case. The court ruled that the State had presented sufficient evidence for the trial to proceed against the eleven accused.
The State alleges that on 18 February 2022, the accused, Sihle Mazibuku (35), Menziwa Shabalala (48), Qaphelani Ngubane (31), Kota Mnguni (45), Hloniphani Dube (41), Phedulani Mvubu (45), Mike Ngwadi (48), Andrew Thobolo (67), Khulekani Nkosi (37), Alex Matjebele (44), and Milton Sandile Gasa (46) along with their co-perpetrators, gathered at a safe house in Rosettenville to plan a robbery targeting a G4S security vehicle transporting money. Between 18 and 21 February 2022, the group allegedly held meetings while in possession of firearms, explosives, and high-powered vehicles in preparation for the robbery.
Acting on intelligence about the planned heist, the police intervened on 21 February 2022, leading to a fatal shootout. Several accused were arrested, while others were killed or managed to escape. Authorities recovered rifles, ammunition, explosives, and other evidence from the scene. In the exchange of gunfire, eight co-perpetrators were killed, four police officers were injured, and a police helicopter was damaged. The court dismissed the defence’s application to discharge the accused, affirming that sufficient evidence existed to proceed with the trial. The case has been adjourned until 18 March 2025, when the defence will present its case.
