William Bulwane, the Free State African National Congress’ (ANC) new deputy chairperson, has been questioned by police after his vehicle was involved in a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist in Bloemfontein.

But according to News24, Bulwane has denied any wrongdoing, instead blaming a local panel beater for the vehicle’s criminal involvement.

ANC member’s BMW X5 involved in CIT robbery

Following an accident in May, the ANC deputy chairperson handed his damaged BMW X5 over to a Bloemfontein based motor mechanic – as recommended to him by his insurance company.

Bulwane maintains that he has not had any physical contact with his vehicle following the transaction with the repair company and that recent police questioning regarding the vehicle’s nefarious operation came as a great shock to him.

The ANC member has confirmed that police are investigating the matter further but remained adamant that he was not the subject of a criminal inquiry, saying:

“I don’t want to comment now because the matter is with the Hawks. They are working on it. I have taken my car for a repair and the man used it for other things that were not an agreement between myself and himself so I am leaving that to the law to take its course.”

Colonel Thandi Mbambo, the South African Police Services (SAPS) spokesperson, confirmed that a 38-year-old man was arrested in connection with a cash-in-transit heist on Wednesday.

Rifles, hand radio and cash found in vehicle

The unnamed suspect was driving Bulwane’s BMW X5, and was found in possession of an R5 rifle, an LM5 rifle and a pistol – all firearms had their serial numbers filed off.

In an official statement issued by Mbambo, the police spokesperson commented on the arrest, saying:

“This after crime intelligence kept surveillance of a vehicle suspected to be carrying a firearm and mobilised Mangaung Tactical response team. The vehicle was driving with no registration. A bag containing various equipment suspected to be used during heist and armed robberies was also found. The driver failed to produce a license to possess those firearms.”

The suspect, who is now in custody and is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday, was one of three heavily armed robbers who ambushed cash-in-transit security guards as they were loading cash into a transport van at a garage in Brandwag.

Errol Velile Present

This latest cash-in-transit incident involving an ANC member comes in the wake of the Errol Velile Present saga. The former ANC member who worked at Luthuli House was linked to a series of heists in the Gauteng region.

Velile Present was promptly removed from his position within the ANC. He was arrested and is currently facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and possession of stolen vehicles.