On Tuesday 23 May 2023, Verulam Regional Court sentenced Sicelo Zindela (49) for attempted cash in transit heist which happened at Tongaat. On 10 December 2020, security guards were reloading cash in the ATM at one of the supermarkets when they were accosted by Zindela and his accomplices. They tried to grab a cash box and a shootout ensued. The accused fled the scene on foot and one of them was fatally wounded.
Zindela was apprehended by an off duty police official and he was found in possession of unlicensed firearm. A case of attempted cash in transit heist was reported at Tongaat police station and the case docket was allocated to the Hawks members from Durban Serious Organised Crime Investigation for intensive probe. His bail was successfully opposed and he was remanded in custody until his sentencing.
He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for attempted cash in transit heist, 10 years imprisonment for murder of his accomplice, 3 years imprisonment for possession of unlicensed firearm and 5 years imprisonment for attempted murder.
Count of attempted cash in transit heist will run concurrently with count of murder and count of possession of unlicensed firearm will also run concurrent with count of attempted murder. Thus, Zindela will serve 20 years imprisonment.