Traditional leader faces more robbery charges

A traditional leader who is also a school teacher, Freddie Shikundu, appeared in court once again on a charge of armed robbery. To add to his woes, more charges were added to the list of accusations against him.

Shikundu has been in custody since October 3 last year. When he appeared before magistrate Daniel Maluleke at the Malamulele Magistrate's court on Monday, he found out that he will have to defend himself against even more charges of armed robbery.

Shikundu (39) and two other men, Oupa Monareng and Doctor Macevele, were arrested on October 3 last year after being linked to an attempted robbery case that took place at the Nkavele bottle store the previous day. They also faced a charge of pos-session of an unlicensed firearm.

Police spokesperson at the Saselamani Police Station Inspector Norman Matsimbi said before the Nkavele incident, R1 000 plus a cell phone were taken at Ntlhaveni Block C in an armed robbery and forensic tests conducted on the firearm found in Shikundu's car before his arrest had linked the three to the incident at Block C.

Shikundu, apart from being a teacher at Manghena Primary School, is also a traditional leader who is regarded as Chief John Shikundu's right-hand man. He has not been to school since October when he was arrested. Bail was refused because when he was arrested he was on bail facing a separate case of more than 20 fraud counts relating to tribal fees.

That other case is also still pending against him.

Magistrate Maluleke postponed Shikundu's case to a later date while the State is waiting for a regional court date.