VRYBURG, 23 October 2025 — The Vryburg Regional Court has sentenced Osvaldo Julia Cumbane (32) to an effective 25 years’ imprisonment for his role in a violent cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery that cost a security officer his life near Tlaakgameng in 2022.

Cumbane, a Mozambican national who was living in Welkom, pleaded guilty to 10 charges — including conspiracy to commit an offence, murder, attempted murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, two counts of pointing a firearm, and possession of ammunition.

The court heard that Cumbane travelled with a group of men to Ganyesa on 2 May 2022 to plan a robbery. On 4 May 2022, the group ambushed a Fidelity Security Services cash-in-transit vehicle at Tlaakgameng Trading Store. A shoot-out followed in which security officer Lebogang Leager Kakgola was wounded and later died at a nearby clinic.

Following an investigation led by Warrant Officer Calvin Koope of the Hawks’ Mahikeng Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, Cumbane was arrested on 15 January 2024. He was denied bail and remained in custody throughout the trial. In court, Advocate Ayanda Mzamo argued that greed motivated the crime and highlighted the loss of an innocent life.

While the court imposed individual sentences ranging from 7 to 25 years across the 10 counts, Section 280 of the Criminal Procedure Act allows some terms to run concurrently, resulting in a cumulative 25-year sentence.

Welcoming the outcome, Dr Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, commended the prosecution and investigators for their diligence and reiterated the NPA’s commitment to tackling violent crime and securing justice for victims and their families.

-The VIP Team 

-NPA

-NW SAPS