Molefi Tshele (37), Joseph Sithole (37) and Vusi Nkambule (41) made a first appearance in the Rustenburg Magistratesā Court yesterday facing charges of armed robbery, two counts of attempted murder, possession of suspected stolen property, unlawful possession of firearm/s and unlawful possession of ammunition. They were all remanded in custody until Monday, 19 February 2024, for formal bail application.
The accused were arrested during a crime intelligence driven operation by Rustenburg Tactical Response Team (TRT), Flying Squad, District Detectives Task Team, National Illicit Mining Task Team, Marikana Visible Policing, Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), Bidvest Security, Protea Security, Cartracker, Ram Risk & Intelligence, HenCor Tactical and Solutions K9 Magnus on Tuesday, 6 February 2024. The accused persons were arrested after they allegedly robbed three courier bakkies on the Kroondal Road in Rustenburg.
According to information; the accused who were driving in Toyota Quantum and Nissan NP200 vehicles, blocked three courier bakkies, then shot the escort driver, who was later taken to a local hospital. At the time of the incident, the courier vehicles were on the way to Rustenburg to deliver goods. Thus, the accused took cell phones, tablets and other items and fled the scene. Police were called and subsequent to receiving a tip-off, the team went to a house at Mfidikwe village outside Rustenburg where the two vehicles were seen entering. Following a shoot-out that ensued upon arrival of the police, three accused were found inside the house and arrested. The other four suspects fled the scene. The team managed to recover cell phones and other items.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated all the South African Police Service (SAPS) units involved and private security companies personnel as well as other stakeholders for their concerted efforts and the sterling job, which resulted in the apprehension of the accused.
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