In a coordinated operation on Wednesday, 4 May 2025, members of the Richards Bay Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, alongside Mpumalanga Crime Intelligence, the Mpumalanga Provincial Cash-in-Transit (CIT) Task Team, and Paul Pietersburg SAPS, arrested three suspects—including a former police officer—for possession of an unlicensed firearm and live ammunition.
The operation was initiated following intelligence reports linking the ex-officer to a CIT robbery in Piet Retief. Acting swiftly, law enforcement located and apprehended the suspect in Dumbe. Further investigations revealed that the ex-policeman had been wanted in connection with a December 2024 CIT heist in Piet Retief.
Following his arrest, authorities received a tip about a house allegedly used as a hideout by robbery suspects. A search of the premises led to the recovery of a rifle and live ammunition. Mbongiseni Wilson Malinga (31) was arrested and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Police later confirmed that the firearm had been stolen from a Durban security company in October 2017.
In a follow-up operation, investigators uncovered information implicating a traditional healer who allegedly provided suspects with muthi (traditional medicine) before robberies. A search of the healer’s residence yielded a .38 Special and 9mm pistol live rounds. Mjabuliseni Bethwell Mthethwa (61), identified as the traditional healer, was arrested for unlawful possession of ammunition. The seized firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine if it was used in any other crimes.
Malinga and Mthethwa appeared briefly in the Paul Pietersburg Magistrates’ Court on 5 June 2025, with their case postponed to 11 June 2025 for a formal bail application. Meanwhile, the ex-police officer was transferred to Piet Retief, where he is expected to appear in court on 6 June 2025.
