Two women who were arrested by the Hawks for firing live rounds and injuring a mourner at a funeral in the Eastern Cape have been granted R2000 bail each. Bongo Dipa (24) and Chumisa Phunguzwa (35), appeared at the Tsolo Magistrates Court on Friday following their arrest last week Thursday by the Eastern Cape Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit and Cash-in-Transit (CIT) Task team. It's alleged that the person who was being buried was a member of a gang involved in cash-in-transit heists.

Provincial Hawks spokesperson, warrant officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, said on October 15 Dipa and Phunguzwa attended the funeral service of an alleged CIT robber that occurred at N2 Tsolo junction. "The pair were reportedly among attendees at the burial service, which was held at Mcetywa location in Tsolo. The duo further allegedly fired shots unlawfully in a public space during the funeral service and one person was injured. A case was opened and transferred to the CIT task team of the Hawks for investigation," he said.

Mhlakuvana said an investigation was launched and eventually linked the women to the incident and they were eventually arrested. Phunguzwa and Dipa are facing charges relating to the unlawful discharge of a firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm and attempted murder. "The matter was remanded to 5 February 2024 for further investigation," said Mhlakuvana.