In recent developments, Khanyisile Viola Nyalunga, a Mbombela traffic police official embroiled in a cash-in-transit heist, appeared in the Nelspruit regional court. Her case has been postponed to next month, creating a buzz around the ongoing investigation.
Mpumalanga spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Monica Nyuswa, confirmed that Nyalunga made her initial appearance in the Nelspruit regional court. The matter was postponed to September 27, 2024, for a pretrial conference.
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This development comes following Nyalunga’s release on bail by the High Court in Mpumalanga last year, after she successfully appealed a lower court’s ruling.
In August 2023, Nyalunga was denied bail by the White River Magistrate’s Court, after being allegedly linked to a failed cash-in-transit heist in July of the same year.
However, the High Court later found exceptional circumstances to grant her bail, given her lack of previous convictions and pending cases. The conditions set for her bail included regular court appearances and no contact with state witnesses.
The heist occurred on July 27, 2023, involving an armoured vehicle of Fidelity Security Company, which was ambushed as it turned into Hazyview. The attackers immediately opened fire, injuring security guards who were later hospitalized.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation—known as the Hawks—identified Nyalunga’s vehicle as being involved in transporting the assailants and firearms. Subsequent investigations led to her arrest when stolen vehicles connected to the crime were found in her yard.
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Both the NPA and the police are working rigorously to ensure thorough investigations. According to Nyuswa, the NPA will continue to collaborate with law enforcement to expedite the resolution of the case.
The High Court, upon granting Nyalunga bail, mandated stringent conditions to ensure she remains compliant with legal proceedings.
