A former police officer, who spent two years in jail following a cash-in-transit heist, has been cleared by the court.
Former detective Vuyani Gongotha’s life was turned upside down when he was implicated in the 2009 robbery of a G4S security vehicle outside Shoprite in Mdantsane.
Gongotha, speaking to the Daily Dispatch, said he had been parked outside Shoprite on the day in question. He was in an unmarked Mazda and was speaking to a manager about a case.
“When I got out , there was the G4S truck close by. As I reversed, a man jumped into the car and instructed me to drive,” Gongotha said.
He said the man held something that felt like a gun to his waist.
Gongotha believed his life was in danger.
“The man was carrying something with him. I could not see his face,” he said.
The man jumped out of the car with the bag, claiming he was driving too slow. However, he took Gongotha’s service pistol before fleeing.
Gongotha said he reported the matter to his commander and a few days later, he was arrested and charged with robbery.
Two others – Mzoxolo Kana and Vumile Mgununda – were also charged. However, both Kana and Gongotha were this week cleared of any wrongdoing. Mgununda is serving a sentence.
Gongotha said after his arrest, he was denied bail and spent two years at the West Bank correctional centre.
While in custody, Gongotha was suspended without pay and later dismissed from the SAPS.
This week his attorney, Ntsikelelo Manyisane, moved an application in terms of section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act where he asked the court to release his client because the state had failed to prove its case against him.
A magistrate in the King William’s Town Regional Court found the man not guilty and discharged him.
“People still look at me as if I robbed that G4S car even though I did not,” he said.
“My family life is not the same anymore because after I was denied bail, they believed that I was capable of this even though I am not.”
Gongotha said it will take a while before he is all right. “I am unemployed and at age 42, I find myself living with my mother because I have no money. This has hit me very hard.” — siyab@dispatch.co.za
Innocent cop freed from jail
Former detective Vuyani Gongotha’s life was turned upside down when he was implicated in the 2009 robbery of a G4S security vehicle outside Shoprite in Mdantsane.
Gongotha, speaking to the Daily Dispatch, said he had been parked outside Shoprite on the day in question. He was in an unmarked Mazda and was speaking to a manager about a case.
“When I got out , there was the G4S truck close by. As I reversed, a man jumped into the car and instructed me to drive,” Gongotha said.
He said the man held something that felt like a gun to his waist.
Gongotha believed his life was in danger.
“The man was carrying something with him. I could not see his face,” he said.
The man jumped out of the car with the bag, claiming he was driving too slow. However, he took Gongotha’s service pistol before fleeing.
Gongotha said he reported the matter to his commander and a few days later, he was arrested and charged with robbery.
Two others – Mzoxolo Kana and Vumile Mgununda – were also charged. However, both Kana and Gongotha were this week cleared of any wrongdoing. Mgununda is serving a sentence.
Gongotha said after his arrest, he was denied bail and spent two years at the West Bank correctional centre.
While in custody, Gongotha was suspended without pay and later dismissed from the SAPS.
This week his attorney, Ntsikelelo Manyisane, moved an application in terms of section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act where he asked the court to release his client because the state had failed to prove its case against him.
A magistrate in the King William’s Town Regional Court found the man not guilty and discharged him.
“People still look at me as if I robbed that G4S car even though I did not,” he said.
“My family life is not the same anymore because after I was denied bail, they believed that I was capable of this even though I am not.”
Gongotha said it will take a while before he is all right. “I am unemployed and at age 42, I find myself living with my mother because I have no money. This has hit me very hard.” — siyab@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos