The five accused appeared once again in the Port Elizabeth magistrate’s court 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 5000-00 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 stolen cellphones belonging to a deceased woman.
It is alleged that on Thursday 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.
It is further alleged that during the early hours of the morning, unknown number of suspects entered the premises through an unlocked door 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.
Police believe robbery to be the motive. Kruger rands, elite watches, gold rings and a wedding ring with a precious stone as well as other jewelry and two cellphones were 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 Nomgebisi Slangveld, aged 34 was a carer at the retirement home and was on duty during the alleged murders.
Nomgebisi Slangveld, Mkhuseli Damaneti (30) and Nyasha Manyange (33) remain in custody and will appear in court again on Monday, 11 November 2019 for a formal bail application.
They are detained on charges of murder.
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