ALL seven men sought by police over a robbery at a Kagiso, West Rand, school have a long history of brushes with the law.
The seven allegedly robbed Kagiso Secondary School of school fees money on January 11.
Three of the men were arrested a few days later and R18,000 of the money was recovered.
Four of suspects, among them a traffic officer based at the Randfontein testing station, are still at large.
The traffic officer, whose name is known to Sowetan, was fired by the Gauteng department of community safety in 2004 for allegedly taking bribes.
"He worked at Wynberg testing station in the unit that was set up to fight corruption but unfortunately he took bribes," said community safety spokesperson Thapelo Moiloa.
The alleged mastermind behind the robbery, Thabo Makhene, is a teacher at the school. He has previous brushes with the law.
- In August 1996, he was arrested for stolen property but the case against him was later withdrawn.
- In May 1997, Makhene was arrested for theft and again the case was withdrawn.
- In January 1998, he was found not guilty of robbery.
- In 1999, he was charged with possession of stolen property but the case was withdrawn.
- In 2001, he was found guilty of theft, was sentenced to three years in jail with an option of a R2000 fine. He paid the fine and the sentence was suspended for three years.
- Last year, Makhene was arrested for theft but the case was later withdrawn.
Makhene, 49, Dumisani Ndzimande, 30, and Mxolisi Mngomezulu, 36, appeared in the Krugersdorp magistrate's court on Monday on a charge of armed robbery.
A source close to the case, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "Police have put together a water-tight case because one of the men who was part of the plan has turned state witness. The robbery was hatched at the traffic officer's house in Kagiso."
The source said the man who has turned state witness was on parole.
He also claimed that one of four suspects on the run is on parole after serving time for murder.
The getaway car that was used in the robbery was spotted in Tshepisong near Roodepoort, where Mngomezulu and Ndzimande were apprehended.
Police found the R18,000 in the boot of the car.
Mngomezulu and Ndzimande are both out on bail for another armed robbery and are expected to appear in court next week.
Kagiso police spokesperson Solomon Sibiya could not confirm that two of the men are on parole.
"We are continuing with our investigations and will look into all possibilities," Sibiya said.
During last week's robbery, a deputy principal was allegedly stripped of his wedding ring.
A teacher at the school, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Makhene was feared by his colleagues.
Gauteng department of education spokesperson Charles Phahlane said Makhene had been placed on precautionary suspension.
Teacher suspended for robbing own school
ALL seven men sought by police over a robbery at a Kagiso, West Rand, school have a long history of brushes with the law.
The seven allegedly robbed Kagiso Secondary School of school fees money on January 11.
Three of the men were arrested a few days later and R18,000 of the money was recovered.
Four of suspects, among them a traffic officer based at the Randfontein testing station, are still at large.
The traffic officer, whose name is known to Sowetan, was fired by the Gauteng department of community safety in 2004 for allegedly taking bribes.
"He worked at Wynberg testing station in the unit that was set up to fight corruption but unfortunately he took bribes," said community safety spokesperson Thapelo Moiloa.
The alleged mastermind behind the robbery, Thabo Makhene, is a teacher at the school. He has previous brushes with the law.
Makhene, 49, Dumisani Ndzimande, 30, and Mxolisi Mngomezulu, 36, appeared in the Krugersdorp magistrate's court on Monday on a charge of armed robbery.
A source close to the case, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "Police have put together a water-tight case because one of the men who was part of the plan has turned state witness. The robbery was hatched at the traffic officer's house in Kagiso."
The source said the man who has turned state witness was on parole.
He also claimed that one of four suspects on the run is on parole after serving time for murder.
The getaway car that was used in the robbery was spotted in Tshepisong near Roodepoort, where Mngomezulu and Ndzimande were apprehended.
Police found the R18,000 in the boot of the car.
Mngomezulu and Ndzimande are both out on bail for another armed robbery and are expected to appear in court next week.
Kagiso police spokesperson Solomon Sibiya could not confirm that two of the men are on parole.
"We are continuing with our investigations and will look into all possibilities," Sibiya said.
During last week's robbery, a deputy principal was allegedly stripped of his wedding ring.
A teacher at the school, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Makhene was feared by his colleagues.
Gauteng department of education spokesperson Charles Phahlane said Makhene had been placed on precautionary suspension.
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