The long arm of the law caught up with perpetrators of a business robbery that occurred approximately a year ago due to perseverance of detectives. During December 2017, a business robbery occurred at a bank on the premises of a drinks beverages company, at Industrial Ring Road in Parow Industrial, Ravensmead.
Two of the perpetrators gained entrance onto the company plant by using access cards. These cards serve as clock cards and to activate the turnstile at the gate. They went into the security office and instructed the security on duty to stay inside. All the staff who were making their way towards the exit gate were detained and instructed by the perpetrators to go into the kitchen which is next to the security office.
Shortly thereafter two other suspects accessed the company plant also using access cards, and walked towards bank employees who were about to knock off. The two suspects wielding firearms instructed the employees to return inside and to unlock the doors.
While the robbery was underway, four other perpetrators got out of a white LDV and went onto the beverages premises and walked straight towards the bank. The bank employees were instructed to open the safe and an undisclosed amount of cash, including bank equipment was taken. The perpetrators left the scene in two vehicles. No shots were fired.
However, due to the determination executed by Sergeant Luvuyo Maki attached to the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, all the perpetrators were arrested and appeared before a court of law over a period of time. The CCTV camera at the security gate was viewed and closer details of the vehicles and perpetrators were gathered which led to their identification and arrest.
In January 2018 two perpetrators who were arrested for armed robberies and detained at Harare SAPS were positively linked to the armed robbery at the company in Ravensmead.
Further arrests were made linking one of the perpetrators as an employee of the company. His cell phone records showed him being in connection with the perpetrators during the robbery. These suspects were apprehended and charged for Business Robbery.
The perpetrators: Lungisa Mabinza (36) and Sandiso Zamxaka (ex-cop 37) appeared before the Bellville Magistrate court on Friday 16 November 2018, and were positively connected to three other co accused namely, Siyabonga Tofi (29), Anele Rongo (30) and Mzolisi Tshuku (41), who were already arrested on 12 June 2018, concerning the same matter and kept in custody as bail was denied.
The suspects were all remanded in custody for Regional Court date which will be announced on 26 November 2018.
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