Ten years and a few days after seven individuals allegedly stole R36 million from G4S Cash Solutions in Kimberley, their trial is finally set to begin in May 2026.
The trial, which was supposed to start in the Kimberley High Court on Monday, 15 September, was postponed because one of the accused was hospitalised in Victoria West. Another accused, a former police officer, is deceased after he shot his girlfriend and himself a few years ago.
The seven accused include current and former police officers as well as ex-staff members of G4S. They are alleged to have stolen R36 476 547,90 in cash along with a .38 Special Rossi revolver from G4S on 6 May 2016.
The accused are Samuel Raynouw Jantjies (51), a police officer still employed, from Florianville; Jennifer Claasen (52) from Beaconsfield; Deon Densel Jantjies (42) from Victoria West; Hendrik Daniels (41) from Kimberley (deceased police officer); Jean Pierre Wolfaardt (32) from Southridge; Conrad Buys (31) from Barkly West; and Thapelo Sithonga (41) from Galeshewe.
‘Went to extraordinary lengths to cover tracks’
On the evening of 6 May 2016, as the sun set over Kimberley, the G4S Cash Solutions premises on North Circular Road were left under the supervision of Claasen, according to the amended summary of substantial facts in the indictment. Claasen was working that night when the power allegedly went out around midnight. Prosecutors claim this was part of a carefully orchestrated plan. With the lights out, Samuel Jantjies allegedly climbed over the wall into the premises.
In the darkness, with the security systems compromised, the conspirators allegedly gained access to the vault where G4S stored millions in cash. They knew where to find the money that was meant to be transported the next day.
They also took a .38 Special Rossi revolver, property of G4S.
Claasen told investigators she had been tied up by unknown male assailants. She claimed the robbers had assaulted her, tied her up, and stolen the money from the vault. According to the State, the accused went to extraordinary lengths to cover their tracks. They allegedly staged a fake robbery scene, complete with evidence suggesting unknown criminals had broken into the premises and stolen the money.
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The charges include the unlawful possession of the stolen .38 Special Rossi revolver and ammunition, defeating the ends of justice, and money laundering. The accused allegedly engaged in various transactions and agreements involving the stolen money across multiple locations. This include Kimberley, Victoria West, Postmasburg, and other areas unknown to the State.
Deon Jantjies’ legal representative, Chwaro Kgotlagomang, presented a document to Judge President Pule Tlaletsi to confirm his client’s illness and unavailability from 14 to 19 September to attend the trial. The accused apparently phoned his attorney on Sunday to advise him he had been hospitalised and could not attend his trial. A warrant of arrest was issued for Jantjies but will be held over until the next court sitting.
All the accused, except Sithonga who is in custody, are released on warning. The State and Defence confirmed they are ready to proceed with the trial and that no documents are outstanding.
Adv. Ricardo Jacobs is prosecuting. Adv. Boitumelo Babuseng represents Jantjies; Adv. Marcus Mafaro represents Claasen; Riaan Bode represents Wolfaardt; Herklaas Venter represents Buys; and Renier Pieterse represents Sithonga.
- The case was postponed to 11 May 2026, for a trial expected to last three weeks.
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