Three suspected robbers have already appeared in Heilbron Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 22 November 2021. The three suspects Linda Mthalane 23, Edwin Dube 31 and Thembane Dube 32 were arrested after allegations of breaking the walls of two shops to gain entry in separate incidents in Metsimaholo, Oranjeville on Sunday, 21 November 2021.
Their appearance at court follows two reports with the first complainant, 27-year-old female alleging that she was fast asleep in her bedroom inside the shop when she heard a banging sound on the wall of her room and voices of people talking outside.
A balaclava-clad suspect entered through the hole in the wall and pointed her with a firearm. He demanded her cellphone and also took her silver wrist watch and R14.00 cash and fled the scene on foot.
The second report is by a 39–year-old, resident of Metsimaholo who alleged that on the same day at about 04:00 am he was also sleeping in his bedroom inside the shop, when he heard a bang on the wall of his room. He further alleged that he jumped out of bed and ran into the shop space.
The complainant further reported that three unknown males entered the shop with two of them armed with firearms and at gunpoint, ordered him to lay on the floor.
The suspects fled with cigarettes, cash and some of his clothes and cellphones. He also noticed that the suspects gained entrance through a hole in the wall.
Later on the same day, 3 male suspects were arrested by the police. The reported stolen property was recovered during their arrest.
The arrested suspects are suspected to be linked to the robberies. They remain in custody pending their next appearance at Heilbron Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 29 November 2021.
