Mpumalanga ex-cops rearrested for 2021 cash in transit heist

Two former Mpumalanga police officers whose case was struck off the roll after their alleged involvement in a 2021 cash in transit heist of R5.8m have been rearrested.

Ex-Const Zacharia Magopa and ex-Sgt George Phaahla were arrested on December 17 and 18 respectively for the heist that happened in Senotlelo, Mpumalanga three years ago.

Though they were arrested shortly after the incident and later confessed to the crime, their matter was later struck off the roll because the docket kept disappearing and also due to outstanding forensics reports. 

However, the investigation continued and all outstanding matters together with forensics reports were obtained, resulting in their latest arrest.

Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Cpt Dineo Sekgotodi said the two appeared at the Vaalbank magistrate’s court on Wednesday and were remanded in custody.

According to Sekgotodi, on February 1 2021, an unknown number of African males attacked a G4S cash vehicle in Senotlelo, robbing it of R5.8m.

She said the case was referred to Middelburg based Serious Organised Crime Investigation for further probe.