QONCE- A 36 year old man Sophumelela Devilliers Mani appeared briefly in the Qonce Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 10 June 2025 in connection with a brazen cash-in-transit(CIT) robbery that took place at the Big Daddy retail outlet on the 5th of June 2025. According to reports the robbery unfolded in broad daylight on 5th June involved a Fidelity Cash Solutions vehicle which was collecting money from the store.
Eastern Cape South African Police Service(EC SAPS) emphasized that, “One of the guards was returning from the shop with a CPC trolley bag full of cash when he was shot by unidentified assailants, attackers then proceeded to grab the money and fled the scene in a silver Suzuki Ertiga,” statement stated.
Following swift investigative work and actionable intelligence a multi-disciplinary team including the Hawks CIT Task Team, Tactical Response Team, Crime Intelligence and Local Criminal Record Centre tracked down the suspect to a residence in the Kwalini area of Zwelitsha on 7th June.
Furthermore during a search of the premises, authorities discovered ink-stained banknotes believed to have been taken during the robbery.
A Volkswagen Golf 6 also found on the property, was confirmed stolen from Gelvandale in Gqeberha.
According to provincial Hawks spokesperson Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, “Mani was unable to explain its presence and was then arrested at the scene.”
In addition Mhlakuvana said, “He has been charged in connection with the CIT robbery and remains in custody, the case was postponed to 18 June 2025 for a formal bail application.”
Police say the investigation is ongoing and are urging members of the public with any information to come forward.
Photograph: supplied
Jamie-Lee Sias
11 June 2025
