By BAKANG MOKOTO
28 February 2025- A man (22) was from Khalankomo village in the Eastern Cape, appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on multiple serious charges. The accused, Ayanda Nombebe, is facing 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.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said 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. Mahanjana said acting on the tip-off, the police arrived at the mall, spotted two motor vehicles that would supposedly be involved in the robbery and began to follow them as they were heading to Laudium.
“While driving on Military Road in Laudium, police attempted to stop the vehicles, but the suspects refused to comply. They instead sped off and began to shoot at the police vehicle.
“After driving a few meters, the vehicles stopped, and seven suspects came out. Thereafter, a shootout between the suspects and the police ensued resulting in six suspects dying on the scene,” she said.
Mahanjana further said, during the shootout, the accused allegedly fled to a nearby house, where he was found and arrested. She added that further investigations revealed that one of the vehicles used in the attempted robbery had been reported stolen in Clayville.
“In court, the matter was postponed to 5 March 2025, for bail investigations, while the accused remains in custody,” said Mahanjana.
The Guardian 