Traffic officer’s getaway car forfeited after 2018 Lukholweni robbery

How police linked the vehicle to the robbery

Police were dispatched after information about a robbery at a spaza shop in Lukholweni. During the response, officers moved to locate a suspected getaway vehicle described in their tasking. A subsequent stop attempt led to a pursuit and interception of a white Toyota Corolla that was later found to be connected to the crime.

Items recovered and arrests

When the vehicle was intercepted, two occupants were found inside. Investigators recovered a number of items from the car and its interior: a shotgun with its serial numbers obliterated, live ammunition, a school bag containing assorted cigarettes, R5 050 in cash and pepper spray. The recovered cash was returned to its lawful owner during the investigation, according to the Hawks.

“A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a shotgun concealed beneath a seat. The firearm’s serial numbers had been obliterated, and live ammunition was also recovered,”

All suspects were arrested and the recovered items were seized for further investigation.

Who was involved and the criminal outcome

Two people found in the vehicle were identified as Richard Thomas and Simthandile Badela. Criminal proceedings arising from the 2018 incident resulted in lengthy prison sentences for both: Thomas received 15 years’ imprisonment and Badela received 16 years’ imprisonment. Investigations also established that a traffic officer employed by the Matatiele Local Municipality, who was driving the vehicle at the time, had registered the Toyota Corolla.

Court order and asset recovery

Following the referral to the Hawks’ Asset Forfeiture Investigation (AFI) unit and the involvement of the National Prosecuting Authority, the court granted an order on 6 October 2026 to forfeit the vehicle to the state. The Hawks said the car, valued at approximately R99 000, became the subject of asset forfeiture proceedings.

“The vehicle, valued at approximately R99 000, subsequently became the subject of asset forfeiture proceedings following the referral of the matter to the Hawks’ AFI unit,”

The forfeiture order marks a further legal development from the original criminal case. The Hawks stated the asset will be sold and the proceeds deposited into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA).

What the Hawks said

Hawks spokesperson Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana provided details of the policing operation and the follow-up investigation. On the interception and arrest of the occupants, Mhlakuvana said officers had initially attempted to stop the vehicle and pursued it when the driver did not comply.

“Officers subsequently spotted the vehicle and attempted to stop it. However, the driver allegedly ignored their instructions and sped off, prompting a pursuit that ended when police successfully intercepted the car. Police found two occupants, Richard Thomas and Simthandile Badela, inside.”

“The recovered cash was subsequently returned to its lawful owner. Investigations later established that a traffic officer employed by the Matatiele Local Municipality, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident, had registered the Toyota Corolla.”

Why the forfeiture matters

Asset forfeiture is designed to remove instruments and proceeds associated with crime, and the court order in this case means the vehicle will no longer be available for private use. The sale of the seized asset and the channelling of proceeds to CARA are steps that the Hawks said will form part of the final disposition of the property.

Beyond the immediate legal outcome, the case highlights how criminal investigations can lead to both criminal sentences for offenders and parallel civil remedies aimed at recovering assets tied to illegal activity.

Further details in this matter were provided by the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority as part of the asset forfeiture process. The forfeiture order and the sentences handed down in the criminal case are recorded elements of the legal outcome from the 2018 Lukholweni robbery and its subsequent investigations.