*Cops given until 26 February to wrap up heist investigations
The suspected mastermind behind last October’s daring multi-million Pula ‘Kumakwane cash heist’ has died while out on bail.
44-year-old Nkopoleng Kolagano, who had been helping the police with their investigations, passed away last Thursday.
Paralysed from the waist down, Kolagano was said to be ‘critically ill’ at the time of his death.
The Taung native had been due to appear before Molepolole Magistrates Court this Tuesday when his lawyer, Olihile Manchwe informed court of his demise. Manchwe and his team are still waiting on the death certificate but foul play is not suspected.
Kolagano was arrested on the day of the heist, 27 October, allegedly found with P298, 000 in his car.
He is one of nine men suspected to be behind the armed robbery of a Security Systems van transporting money from Gaborone to Ghanzi.
The gang, who struck at around 5am on the outskirts of Kumakane village, were reportedly armed with rifles and used violence to overcome the personnel they encountered in the van.
Initially it was thought the bandits made away with P5 million in cash. However, that figure has since been reduced to P3, 700, 000 after investigations revealed some of the money was delivered to its designated drop-off points before the thieves hit.
Six of the suspects remain at large, while two others, 39-year-old Bonolo Brian Mokgethise and Kenneth Motshwana, 32, appeared before court on Tuesday.
The duo were apprehended in December but were granted bail after their first arraignment.
During Tuesday’s mention, fed-up with the delay in the case, presiding Magistrate, Kefilwe Resheng warned the prosecution it was time they completed their investigations.
Indeed, Resheng said if the investigations were not complete by the next mention – 26 February – the charges would be dropped and the case withdrawn.
“I cannot have your matter in court being investigated and I cannot keep on putting the Investigating Officer here. You should have your matter investigated till you have all your dots in a row, you investigate it and register in court,” blasted Magistrate Resheng.
The clock is certainly ticking for the cops!
