Two suspects who were apprehended in connection with a series of armed robberies in and around Thohoyandou appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Monday, 19 June.
Rembuluwani Mudau and Andani Matidza were arrested during a joint operation conducted by the Vhembe Trio Task Team at Shayandima Zone 10 and Thohoyandou Block G respectively. The arrests were made on Friday, 16 June. The suspects are believed to be involved in armed robberies that occurred in Shayandima, Thohoyandou, and at the post office in Phangami Mall.
During their court appearance, their lawyer, Adv Ntsako Hlungwane, requested a bail application. The state prosecutor proposed that the case be postponed to 28 June for further investigations and for the apprehension of other suspects who are still at large. The two suspects were granted permission to apply for bail when they appear on 28 June.
Following the postponement of the case, Adv Hlungwane requested that the suspects be taken to a hospital for medical attention, claiming that they had been subjected to severe assault during police interrogation.
The spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo, Ms Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi, stated that they had a strong case against the two suspects. She mentioned that they had evidence of a significant amount of stolen money, including R3.2 million that was forcibly robbed from a Fidelity security company at Phangami Mall.
The case against the suspects is ongoing, and further investigations will be conducted to gather evidence and locate additional suspects involved in the armed robberies.