Hawks Arrest Former G4S Employee in George Over R110,000 Cash Theft

In a remarkable display of investigative efficiency, the Hawks' Serious Organized Crime Investigation team in George apprehended former G4S employee Dimitri Winwaai, 32, who was implicated in a notable case of theft dating back to July 2023. Winwaai appeared in the George Magistrates Court on March 31, 2025, with his case set to continue the following day.

The sequence of events began when a Checkers store in Knysna noticed a discrepancy in their accounts after a routine cash pickup by G4S. They observed that out of three moneybags picked up on July 10, 2023, totaling R110,000, one did not reflect in their corresponding SBV account in George.

G4S conducted an internal probe revealing that although their system registered the three bags as delivered to SBV the next day, SBV confirmed the receipt of only two. Further scrutiny of G4S’s internal software indicated a manipulation, suggesting that the missing moneybag had been falsely marked as delivered.

The discrepancies emerged more starkly when documentation from G4S was found to have been doctored, with a forged receipt indicating the delivery of the missing bag. This breakthrough was pivotal in tracing the forgery back to Winwaai, who allegedly produced the counterfeit receipt during the company's internal questioning.

Following a detailed investigation, George SAPS registered a case and handed it over to the Hawks for advanced probing. Upon completion, the National Prosecuting Authority found substantial evidence to charge Winwaai. His apprehension has been lauded by the Hawks' Provincial Head of the Western Cape, Major General Mathipa Makgato, who praised his team for their diligent work in securing the arrest.

This case has highlighted significant vulnerabilities in the operations of cash transit entities and their impact on other businesses. It also underscores the elaborate lengths individuals might go to in executing financial crimes. As the legal proceedings continue, businesses are reminded of the critical need for stringent security measures and robust oversight mechanisms to thwart such offenses.

Locations: George, Western Cape, South Africa