Pretoria – Suspected cash-in-transit robber 22-year-old Ayanda Nombebe – the only survivor of a shoot-out with police when six other suspects were shot dead – has been remanded in custody until next month.
Earlier this week, six suspected cash-in-transit robbers were fatally shot in a violent confrontation with law enforcement in Pretoria. Nombebe, the only survivor was arrested on the scene.
Nombebe, from Khalankomo Village in the Eastern Cape, appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (26 February 2025).
The accused faces several serious charges related to the attempted cash-in-transit heist.
The charges Nombebe faces include six counts of murder, five counts of possession of unlicensed firearms, two counts of attempted murder of police officials, conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of ammunition, and possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
It is alleged that on 24 February 2025, the police received a tip-off about a planned cash-in-transit robbery at Attlyn Mall in Atteridgeville.
Acting on the tip-off, the police arrived at the mall, spotted two suspicious vehicles linked to the planned robbery, and followed them when they drove toward Laudium.
Narrating events leading to Nombebe’s arrest, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said police attempted to stop the suspicious vehicles on Military Road in Laudium, but the suspects refused to comply.
They instead sped off and began to shoot at the police vehicle.
After driving a short distance, the vehicles stopped and seven suspects came out to confront the police.
“Thereafter, a shootout between the suspects and the police ensued resulting in six suspects dying on the scene,” said Mahanjana.
“During the shootout, the accused fled to a nearby house, where he was found and arrested.
“Further investigations revealed that one of the vehicles used in the attempted robbery had been reported stolen in Clayville.”
In court, the accused was remanded in custody and his matter was adjourned to 5 March 2025.
