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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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). \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They appeared jointly for the first time in the Ladybrand Magistrates’ Court on Monday 13 April, facing a charge of armed robbery.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The suspects made off with a substantial amount of cash. The robbery reportedly took place at around 18:40.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kareli said two suspects had accessed the store under false pretences of being police officers investigating an assault case. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“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.” \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“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.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police are appealing to anyone with information about the robbery to contact Det. Ntingi Mshumpela on 076 423 5295. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatively, they can dial the Crime Stop number, 08600 10111, or submit an anonymous tip-off via the My SAPS app.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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