{"id":306838,"date":"2026-04-14T10:52:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T08:52:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/?p=306838"},"modified":"2026-04-14T10:56:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T08:56:12","slug":"police-sergeant-retail-store-employees-linked-to-bold-robbery-of-chain-store","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/police-sergeant-retail-store-employees-linked-to-bold-robbery-of-chain-store\/","title":{"rendered":"Police sergeant, retail store employees linked to bold robbery of chain store"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>LADYBRAND <\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Seven 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SAPoliceService\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">police&#8217;s <\/a>Serious and Violent Crime, Murder and Robbery unit includes an intensive search for three additional suspects, currently on the run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217; Court on Monday 13 April, facing a charge of armed robbery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALSO READ<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/rogue-free-state-police-officer-busted-for-business-robbery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rogue Free State police officer busted for business robbery<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The suspects were traced and arrested on different occasions. The breakthrough came with Motja&#8217;s arrest, and the discovery of a white Volkswagen Polo used as the getaway vehicle shortly after the robbery on Thursday 9 April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kareli said the suspects made off with large plastic bags containing a substantial undisclosed amount of cash and several cellular phones. The robbery reportedly took place at about 18:40.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Four retail group employees and a police sergeant are among the seven suspects arrested in connection with armed 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