Tibone robbers denied bail
Mpho Mokwape | Wednesday June 22, 2016 16:02
Police nabbed six men for the May 4 armed robbery at Tibone’s Phakalane home, during which they allegedly tied up Tibone and his wife, and used violence.
At the Broadhurst Magistrate Court yesterday, prosecutors dropped charges against two men, while bail was denied for the other four. Police are on the hunt for two other suspects currently at large. Broadhurst Chief Magistrate Faith Ngandu granted the prosecution’s request for an extension of remand, noting that the suspects had been uncooperative with investigations.
She said the suspects had exhibited unruly behaviour in trying to frustrate the prosecution by refusing to be fingerprinted for identification, indicating that the men were not serious in proving their innocence, as they claimed. “Some of you by your own admission have admitted your refusal to be fingerprinted which could help you to be exonerated from the crime. I have no choice but to further remand you so that the prosecution may complete their investigations without any interference,” she said.
At the prosecution’s request, Ngandu dropped charges against co-accused persons, Onalenna Ramokopelwa (26) and Letso Leipego (24). She pointed out that prosecution was at liberty to reinstate the charges or charge the duo with a lesser crime whenever a need arose.
Prosecuting officer, Oagile Bokane said Ramokopelwa and Leipego will be helping the state with its investigations and would only be charged with being found in possession of stolen property.
Earlier on investigating officer, Detective Senior Superintendent, Sergeant Marapo told the court that the accused persons should be denied bail because investigations were still ongoing and they had not been cooperating with the police to speed up investigations.
“Yesterday I sent an officer to fingerprint the suspects and bring them to the station in order for the complainant and his wife to identify some of the stolen items in front of the suspects, but they refused even though the officer had a removal warrant issued by a principal magistrate,” he said. Marapo said the accused persons were not good candidates for bail as two of them had a similar case pending before court, while the other one was a prohibited immigrant.
The state alleges that Moagi Letsholo (39), Joseph Ngayaya (42), Judas Judas (29), Tennison Sibanda (24) and two others still at large attacked the former minister and his wife at their home stealing an array of items and cash.
According to the amended charge sheet, the items stolen included an iPad valued at P20,000, iPhone valued at P11,320, Samsung S5 valued at P11,242.50, Blackberry valued at P2,600, Rolex wrist watch valued at USD16,000, Cartier wrist watch valued at USD11,000, Red Swiss army knife USD3,000, cash amounting to P2,000 and R2,000. Mention has been set for July 4.