The eight suspects arrested in Klerksdorp and Upington in connection with a bank robbery that took place in April are due to appear in court this morning.
The suspects allegedly colluded and stole more than R3 million at a local Nedbank Branch.
According to the Hawks, two of the suspects allegedly posed as SBV security officers to do a routine pickup.
They produced fake documents and were handed money by the bank staff.
Following the robbery, Hawks spokesperson Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso said an intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of Welcome Marcus (50) and Charles Anthony Scheepers (54) two weeks ago.
On Sunday, the operation continued and led to the arrest of a further six, two of whom are employed by the bank.
All eight suspects, Marcus and Scheepers included, will appear in court today facing charges of theft and more arrests are imminent.
North West Hawks Head Major-General Linda Mbana warned that “the chips are falling and it is only a matter of time before everyone who was involved gets rounded up.”
In a separate incident, a 43-year-old suspect arrested with more than R1.5 million worth of drugs has been remanded in custody after making a brief appearance at Klerksdorp Magistrate Court on Monday.
Frank Nwaru was arrested by the Hawks after they operated on information of alleged drug dealing near a primary school in the area.
The suspect was spotted leaving his apartment and when he noticed that he was being followed, he allegedly threw a black plastic bag inside his vehicle and attempted to run away.
The suspect was immediately overpowered and detained whilst his vehicle was searched revealing the contents of the plastic bag to be drugs.
The members took the suspect back to the apartment and a thorough search uncovered neatly packed crystal meth and CAT drugs worth approximately R1.5 million.
Nwaru made a brief appearance at the Klerksdorp magistrate’s court facing a charge of Illegal possession of drugs. His case was postponed to 29 May 2018 for a formal bail application. – SAnews.gov.za
South Africa Today – South Africa News
