Pep Stores robbery suspects denied bail

Correspondent | Tuesday June 2, 2015 15:24

The third suspect in the matter Thato Phomolo Tshwene (22) from Oodi village was not in court as he is still on the run.

The accused is said to have escaped from Selebi-Phikwe prison on April 24, 2015.  When denying the two accused bail, Chief Magistrate Madandume said the prosecution team should be given ample time to finish their investigations on the matter. She however advised the accused duo to apply for bail at the high court if they wished to do so.

The magistrate’ decision came after Inspector Ngwisani Tshosa pleaded with the court not to grant the accused bail on the reasons that they have cases that are still being investigated.

“The suspects cannot be trusted as they still have cases at Hukuntsi and Ramotswa that are still being investigated, I therefore plead with the court to remand them in custody to allow the prosecution to complete their investigations,” he said.

The two accused pleaded with the magistrate to grant them bail. Ntshoto pleaded innocence and begged the magistrate to release him, as he wanted to call his witnesses. He also told the court that he is asthmatic hence the prison conditions were unfavourable for him.

“I suffer from asthma and can no longer cope in the dirty prison. I have been imprisoned for six months, while waiting for the forensic results to be released,” he said.

He also promised that when granted bail he would not interfere with investigations or tamper with forensic results.

Fanabi also pleaded with the court to grant him bail.  “How will I call my witnesses from prison? I need to get out of here first,” he said. He added that the prison environment was unhealthy, arguing that he feared that he would be infected with tuberculosis.

Madandume assured both suspects that they would be allowed to call in their witnesses in due time.  The two accused will appear for mention on June 10, 2015.