The case against the two suspects who allegedly instructed students who were preparing for their matric examinations last year to remove their clothes before robbing them was postponed to 8 February for a formal bail application. They will remain in custody until their next court appearance.
Mulaifa Sikhipha and Shumani Ndlovu appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Friday, 27 January, and were charged with armed robbery, eight counts of house robberies and three counts of sexual assault. Most of the charges they are facing relate to armed robberies that were committed at different schools in the area, where they allegedly stole cellphones, laptops and clothes.
On 19 November last year, the duo, also known as "the pervert robbers", allegedly pounced on matriculants studying at the church, and not only robbed them but also ordered them to undress and play with their own private parts.
The pastor of the Living Water Christian Church at Makonde, where the incident happened, said he was very disappointed in the investigating officer on the case. "After the incident, we investigated the matter with some members of the church. We made a citizen's arrest when we caught the two suspects, who are in custody today. We called the police, who came and took them away after they confessed to their involvement in the crime, but now the investigating officer doesn't bother to update us about the court dates. We just see in the media that they were in court," he said.
Meanwhile, the acting spokesperson for the Vhembe police, Sergeant Vuledzani Dathi, said police investigations were at an advanced stage and they would be ready for trial soon.