ALLEDGED CASH IN TRANSIT ROBBER ARRESTED WHILST IN PRISON APPEARED IN COURT
MEDIA STATEMENT DIRECTORATE FOR PRIORITY CRIME INVESTIGATION (HAWKS)
14 FEBRUARY 2025
LIMPOPO: On 12 February 2025, the accused Matola David Frimino (53) appeared before the Makhado Magistrates Court facing 12 charges related to cash in transit robberies.
The matter was postponed to 01 April 2025. The accused was remanded in police custody as he abandoned his bail application.
Frimino was served with a warrant of arrest by the Hawks while in police custody at Polokwane Correctional Service facility on 12 February 2025, as he was linked on the following charges:
– Attempted Cash In Transit (CIT) robbery
– 05 X Attempted murder
– 02 X Malicious damage to property
– Contravention of Immigration Act
– Possession of Unlicensed Firearm
– Possession of Prohibited Firearm
– Possession of Ammunitions
In July 2023, the Makhado SBV Cash Solutions, Armored Vehicle truck was driving from Musina along N1 North Willies-spoort.
It is alleged that the Armored Vehicle truck was rammed by a white BMW. Two suspects allegedly alighted from the BMW and began shooting towards the Armored Vehicle truck and the escort van.
The suspects then attempted to rob the Armored Vehicle of which they failed. The suspects fired several short at the Armored Vehicle truck and escort vehicle.
No one sustained injuries as both security guards escaped attack. The suspects further burned the BMW utilised to ram SBV truck beyond recognition. The suspects fled the scene using other gateway vehicles.
The police from Makhado, Musina based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, the Local Record Criminal Center (LCRC), attended the crime scene.
The spent cartridges were confiscated and forwarded to Forensic Science Laboratory Ballistics for examination.
The cases of attempted cash in transit (CIT) robbery and attempted murder were opened and registered as per Makhado then transferred to the Musina Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation for further probe.
The Hawks’ engaged the Vehicle Identification Unit (VIU) for assistance with vehicle investigation. It was discovered that the burnt vehicle was used to commit a robbery at Randburg in Gauteng Province.
Frimino was first arrested on 21 September 2023 at Hoedspruit for alleged cash in transit robbery, which was committed on 20 September 2023.
During his arrest, he was found in possession of AK47 rifle and ammunition. The forensic investigations revealed that the AK47 was used in CIT at Hoedspruit and Makhado.
He appeared in court several times for bail application and he was denied until he was served with a warrant of arrest.
The Acting Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province Brigadier Desmond Alexander welcomed the arrest of the accused.
