Seven suspects, including a police officer, are remanded in custody following their arrest in connection with the armed robbery of a Shoprite Group store in Ladybrand.
The ongoing investigations by the provincial police’s Serious and Violent Crime, Murder and Robbery unit includes an intensive search for three additional suspects, currently on the run.
Those arrested include Sgt Thabiso Motja (43), as well as four employees of the store: Matshidiso Maseloa (50), Anny Meshake (37), Maki Maribe (37) and Palesa Malokase (41). Also in custody are two civilians: Lefu Jonas Monyane (45) and Matseko Maketha (31).
They appeared jointly for the first time in the Ladybrand Magistrates’ Court on Monday 13 April, facing a charge of armed robbery.
Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, provincial spokesperson for the police, confirmed that their case had been postponed to 20 April for a bail application in the same court.
The suspects were traced and arrested on different occasions. The breakthrough came with Motja’s arrest, and the discovery of a white Volkswagen Polo used as the getaway vehicle shortly after the robbery on Thursday 9 April.
The suspects made off with a substantial amount of cash. The robbery reportedly took place at around 18:40.
Kareli said two suspects had accessed the store under false pretences of being police officers investigating an assault case.
“One suspect was dressed in a reflective police jacket, and the other carried a formal docket cover. Under the guise of investigating a fictitious assault case, they gained access to the manager’s office to ‘review camera footage’,” said Kareli.
“Once inside the office, the suspects dropped their disguise and attacked the manager, striking him in the neck with a firearm. They then forced the cash office clerk to open the safe. The suspects made off with large plastic bags containing a substantial undisclosed amount of cash and several cellular phones.”
The robbers reportedly fired a single gunshot while outside the store before fleeing the scene in the getaway vehicle. Kareli said tactical members of the Ladybrand police and the K9 unit made a breakthrough in the discovery of this vehicle abandoned on Loop Street.
“Upon inspection, it was found that the vehicle’s registration plates did not match the licence disc. During the processing of the scene, a 43-year-old male was intercepted and interrogated. The individual was identified as a police member attached to a station within the Free State,” he said.
Police are appealing to anyone with information about the robbery to contact Det. Ntingi Mshumpela on 076 423 5295.
Alternatively, they can dial the Crime Stop number, 08600 10111, or submit an anonymous tip-off via the My SAPS app.
