The East London-based Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation team is seeking public assistance in locating three wanted suspects, Simthembile Mwahla, Thandile Sitwayi and Sibongiseni Mbhele.
The trio is sought in connection with cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies that have been taking place in the province.
Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela says Mwahla is also sought for escaping from court during a trial where he and five co-accused robbed a cash-in-transit- truck off R300 000 in Butterworth in 2013.
She says during that robbery the group fired two shots towards security guards which fatally wounded one.
Mwahla’s co-accused in the matter Siyabonga Tshayela, Zimasa Diniso, Xolisa Mazizi and Zibuzele Booi were each sentenced to life in imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances in February 2021 at the Butterworth High Court.
Another co-accused, Edwin Lechoka, was already serving his sentence after he pleaded guilty in 2016 and was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
They were also handed five years for possession of unlicensed firearms and another five years imprisonment for possession of ammunition and also declared unfit to possess the firearm.
Anyone who might know the whereabouts of the trio can contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Thamsanqa Mlumbi on 071 481 3009.
“The public is requested not to approach the suspects on their own as they are deemed dangerous,” she added.
