Khanyisile Viola Nyalunga, a Mbombela traffic official who was involved in a cash-in-transit theft in Hazyview, was granted bail by the Mpumalanga High Court after she filed an appeal.
Nyalunga, 29, was denied bail by the White River Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga last month after being accused of being involved in a bungled cash-in-transit (CIT) theft in July.
According to Monica Nyuswa, spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga, the superior court determined that there were extraordinary circumstances that justified Nyalunga’s release on bail.
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“The court found that there are exceptional circumstances which permit for the accused (Nyalunga) to be released on bail. It (the court) took into consideration that the accused has no previous convictions, no pending cases and that she is not a flight risk,” said Nyuswa.
“The High Court set aside the district magistrate’s decision of denying the accused bail and substituted it with the following order: bail was granted in the amount of R5,000 on the following conditions – that the accused shall attend all court appearances until the finalization of the trial and that the accused shall not contact, communicate, interfere or intimidate any of the State witnesses.”
She stated that the NPA would continue to work closely with the police to ensure that the investigation was completed.
Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, a spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as the Hawks), previously stated that Nyalunga was arrested after being linked to the July 27 cash heist.
“It is alleged that on Thursday, July 27, at about 1.30 pm an armored vehicle of Fidelity security company was travelling from White River to Hazyview, escorted by a TSU (security) vehicle,” said Sekgotodi at the time.
“At the White River/Hazyview junction, as the armored vehicle turned right into Hazyview, it was rammed by a grey Mercedes-Benz sedan.”
The attackers “immediately” opened fire on the cash-in-transit van, injuring the security guards inside. They were eventually brought to a hospital for medical care, according to Sekgotodi.
“The TSU (security) also arrived and returned fire. According to information the suspects fled with three other sedan vehicles,” said Sekgotodi.
A car related to Nyalunga was allegedly seen transporting some of the assailants and weaponry used during the bungled heist, according to the Hawks.
“The team of investigators followed up information which led to the arrest of Nyalunga after stolen vehicles which were also seen on the crime scene were found parked in her yard. The vehicles were confiscated and the suspect (Nyalunga) was also arrested,” said Sekgotodi.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the automobiles retrieved at Nyalunga’s home had been reported stolen.
“The silver Mercedes-Benz ML250 was stolen at Mhala, in Mpumalanga in June 2023 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan was stolen at Vosloorus (Gauteng) in February 2021,” said Sekgotodi.
Nyalunga was charged with criminal conspiracy, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, and unauthorized possession of firearms and ammunition.
