BLOEMFONTEIN – Two suspects linked to brazen armed robberies of two Bloemfontein jewellery stores are remanded in custody while police continue with intensive investigations into their involvement in other crimes.
The bail hearing against Xolani Mabaso (29) and Dumisani Maqwaza (35) is set for 3 December in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court. They briefly appeared on Wednesday 26 November after they were discharged from hospital. They were admitted for medical treatment to injuries sustained during a shootout with the Free State police.
The shootout occurred at the Vaal Plaza tollgate on the N1 national road. It happened on 18 November at about 23:00. The suspects were cornered en route to Gauteng. The police reported that they recovered items stolen from the jewellery stores in Bloemfontein. In addition, they confiscated three firearms − two 9mm pistols and an AK-47 rifle plus ammunition.
Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said that the ongoing investigations by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team include possible links to other serious crimes. A similar armed robbery also took place on 18 November at Walmer Park’s Fischer’s Jewellers. One suspect was arrested.
Maqwaza and Mabaso face charges including business robbery, illegal possession of firearms and possession of suspected stolen property. It is believed they are involved with an armed group of men. This group is linked to two separate business robberies. These incidents happened at the Jewel Craft jewellery store in Northridge Mall on 16 November. They also took place at HDL Jewellers in Mimosa Mall on the same day. Other suspects are still on the run.
The heavily armed men made off with precious items worth an estimated R250 000. They also took an undisclosed sum of cash.
The first incident unfolded at about 09:45 when six unknown males stormed Jewel Craft, while the second occurred at about 12:21 at HDL Jewellers.
