A sixth suspect was arrested on the afternoon of 26 November 2019, for the alleged murders and robberies of the two elderly women at the Stella Londt Retirement Home in October 2019.
Detectives arrested the 31 year old suspect in Walmer. He is detained on 2 murder, 2 House robbery; 2 kidnapping and conspiracy to commit robbery. He will appear in the Port Elizabeth magistrates’ court on Thursday, 28 November 2019.
On Thursday morning 10 October 2019, at about 05:45, staff found two elderly women murdered in separate rooms at a Retirement Center in Stella Londt Drive in Port Elizabeth. During the early hours of the morning, an unknown number of suspects entered the premises through an unlocked door and security gate on the upper level of the main building in the complex.
The suspects entered the first room where they confronted Ms Agnes Elaine Burns, 91 years old. She was found on the bed with her feet and hands tied and her mouth gagged. The room was ransacked. The suspects then entered another room further down the passage where they then confronted Ms Rosemary Langton (87). She, too was found with hands and feet tied and mouth gagged. Her room was also ransacked.
Kruger rands, elite watches, gold rings and a wedding ring with a precious stone as well as other jewelry and a cellphone was taken.
The team of investigators led by the Mount Road Cluster Detective Head, Colonel Paul Orange with the assistance of the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority worked tirelessly throughout the days and nights in an attempt to make a breakthrough. On 18 October 2019, 5 suspects (1 female and 4 males) were arrested within the Port Elizabeth area. Some of the items were recovered from a suspect in the Kuyga area.
The female suspect, aged 34 was a career at the retirement home and was on duty during the alleged murders.
All 5 suspects appeared in the Port Elizabeth magistrates’ court and on Friday, 8 November 2019. Two accused namely Panganai Mike Mabwe (27) pleaded guilty to money laundering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA) and was sentenced to R 5000 fine or 12 months imprisonment and 3 years imprisonment suspended for 3 years.
And Craig Nyasha Madiro (20) pleaded guilty to money laundering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998(POCA) and was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment suspended for 3 years.
The two accused were in possession of the stolen cellphones belonging to one of the deceased woman.
The other accused, Nombebisi Slangveld (34), Mkhuseli Damaneti (30) and Nyasha Manyange (33) remain in custody. They are charged with 2 x murder, 2 x House robbery, 2 x kidnapping and conspiracy to commit robbery.
On Monday, 25/11, Damaneti and Manyange abandoned their bail applications while bail was denied for Slangveld. Their next court appearance is on 20 January 2020.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
Retirement home murders of 2 elderly woman, caregiver plus 4 in court, PE
