Rifles, carwash and a plot for gold: What we know about foiled Randfontein cash heist

JOHANNESBURG - A West Rand businessman, out on R10,000 bail for his alleged involvement in a cash-in-transit heist in the North West last year, is being probed by the Hawks in Gauteng following a foiled robbery of the same nature in Randfontein on Monday. 

Thabo Benzana, 37, the son of prominent businessman David Benzana - the owner of Rigamani Construction - has agreed to hand himself over to the Hawks for questioning. 

This follows an alleged cash-in-transit gang that was nabbed by police leaving Thabo’s popular establishment - Carwash on 32nd - which boasts a carwash, shisanyama and a beauty salon. 

Police confronted the gang as they pulled out of Thabo’s business premises on 32 Fiat Street in Randfontein on Monday morning, arresting three and killing one. 

Carwash on 32nd is a popular hangout spot for locals - and according to sources, even resident cops - who allegedly had their end-of-year function at the premises last year. 

On Monday, police received intel about a group of suspects who were planning to commit a cash-in-transit robbery in the West Rand area. 

Police approached Thabo’s property, as the suspects were leaving in their vehicles. 

Police allege they were shot at and returned fire. 

One suspect was killed and another was arrested.

Three suspects who initially evaded were later apprehended, with one being wounded by police. 

Police recovered two unlicensed R5 rifles, ammunition, false number plates, three vehicles and multiple pairs of hand gloves and balaclavas.

According to West Rand district Police Commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana, the gang was allegedly planning on targeting an armoured van transporting gold. 

Zakhele Mthembu, Samuel Mashilo and Mduduzi Sipho Khoza appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrates Court on Thursday.

They are facing charges of attempted murder, and the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The case was postponed to next week for further investigation. 

A PERSON OF INTEREST

While Thabo has not been linked to having any direct role in Monday’s incident - he is a person of interest, given the fact that he is currently out on bail for having been involved in a cash-in-transit heist last year. 

According to the Hawks, Thabo was part of a gang that bombed a cash van near Wolmaransstad, between Johannesburg and Kimberly, on 5 January 2023.

He was arrested by the Hawks and North West Crime Intelligence alongside Eric Mangaliso Mvuka in Carletonville on May 14 and charged with attempted murder, the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Records show that the property on 32 Fiat Street is owned by Rigamani Construction, a business owned by Thabo’s father - David. 

Thabo is the current director of another company, Rigamani Projects, which lists 32 Fiat Street as its registered address. 

David says while the property is owned by him, he leases it to his son and has nothing to do with it. 

“My son is an adult, what he does and what he is implicated in has nothing to do with me or my business. You know if you’ve got kids, whatever your kids do behind your back, you might not know anything about that. I cannot blame you as a father and say you sent your kids to rob people or to do whatever they do.” 

He disputes that his property was being used as a “safe house” by the suspected gang, as claimed by police. 

“There is no way that the people can hide in that place, it is an open place, it’s a salon, a carwash and a restaurant and it’s all open. How can you put people there to do their heist? There’s no hideout.” 

Added David: “My security told me that those guys came in the morning. They said Thabo said they must come to that place in the morning. The place was closed, there was nobody there, but only to find out they were lying, Thabo never spoke to them, but because they know Thabo (they mentioned his name). 

“They were on their way to do a robbery somewhere around this area. I don't know the place. They came in and they drove out. I think they spent about an hour, that’s what the security said to me. Then they left, and when they came back they were being chased by the police.” 

Police had been tailing three vehicles being used by the suspected gang members, a VW Polo, a Mercedes Benz E Class and a Toyota Hilux. 

It is understood that police engaged in a shooting with occupants of the Toyota Hilux who had been trying to leave Thabo’s premises. 

Occupants of the VW Polo and Merc fled the scene and were later stopped and arrested by police. 

Thabo's social media is flooded with pictures of him with high-end vehicles, often portraying a high-flying and lavish lifestyle. 

“Thabo Benzana has agreed to hand himself over for questioning, that is all we can say on the matter,” Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Thatohatsi Mavimbela told Eyewitness News. 

North West Hawks spokesperson Amogelang Malwetse says as part of Thabo’s bail conditions, he is to inform the investigator when he travels out of the province, not to commit similar offence and to always avail himself for court appearances.

Thabo will appear alongside his two co-accused in the Wolmaransstad Magistrates Court in the North West next week Thursday, in connection with his cash-in-transit case. 

RIGAMANI CONSTRUCTION RESPONDS