The Star E-dition

SBV’S R14M HEIST: FUGITIVE HIDING IN GRAN’S HOME

SONRI NAIDOO

BATHOBILE Mlangeni made a brief appearance at the Alexandra magistrate court, the former SBV service employee who had been on the run after allegedly disappearing with R4m in 2019. The fugitive had been hiding in a gran’s Soweto home while on the run.

AN 82-YEAR-OLD Soweto woman says she did not know that she had accommodated one of the most-wanted suspects in South Africa.

Vangile Dlamini lived alone in her tiny four-roomed house in Zola, once a notorious township in Soweto, until 29-year-old former SBV cash-in-transit employee Bathobile Mlangeni knocked on her door, seeking accommodation.

It is alleged that Mlangeni in July 2019 brazenly stole R4 million from the SBV cash depot at the Mall of Africa.

Mlangeni made her first appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where she submitted a bail application.

She is charged with theft after she was reportedly seen on CCTV footage stuffing millions of rand into rubbish bags at SBV’s cash depot.

It is further alleged that she cut open two bulk cash bags before transferring the money into refuse bags, placing them in a trolley, and walking out of the centre.

Mlangeni did not return to work and her whereabouts remained unknown.

Her former employer, SBV Services, previously appealed to members of the public for any information which may assist police in their investigation.

She had been on the run since then until Thursday last week, when police received a tip-off that she was hiding in a house in Zola, Soweto.

For three months she lived a “quiet life” with Dlamini, who was not aware that she was a fugitive from justice.

“I had never heard about what she allegedly did. I did not know the police were looking for her. I don’t live with anyone and it was a relief to have a child around the house who could help me by going to the store for me and help me with chores,” said Dlamini.

She added that on January 6, police arrived at her home and arrested Mlangeni. They also searched the house before they were satisfied that the missing cash was not kept in her home.

“They asked about Mlangeni’s demeanour during her stay with me, I responded and said she was a lovely child,” said Dlamini.

The case has been postponed to Monday to allow the replaced advocate representing Mlangeni more time to consult and assess the case’s merits, as well as find out why the State was opposing bail.

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2022-01-18T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-01-18T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://thestar.pressreader.com/article/281569474096285

African News Agency