3 in court in connection with Chief Justice office burglary

THREE men arrested after being “linked” to the burglary at the office of the Chief Justice were surprised to discover their sudden notoriety.

The men – Given Msimango‚ 20‚ Bigboy Jose‚ 37‚ and Joshua Msimango – appeared briefly in the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court.

However, the state has refused to prosecute Joshua Msimango for lack of evidence.

Their lawyer‚ Sammy Mahlangu‚ said he could not understand how any of the accused were linked to the burglary.

None of the charges on the charge sheet point to their involvement in the burglary, in which 15 computers were stolen from the office of the chief justice in Midrand.

“These guys have nothing to do with the break in at the Chief Justice office.

“You can see the charge sheet – there’s nothing about computers‚” Mahlangu said.

However‚ it appears that their DNA might be the answer as to why they were associated with the crime. Police announced they are searching for a man named Nkosinathi Msimango‚ whom Mahlangu confirmed is Given and Joshua Msimango’s brother.

Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane told a media briefing yesterday morning that “three men were arrested linked to the break-in at the offices of the Chief Justice to enable further investigation into the matter”.

Phahlane called on Nkosinathi Msimango to come forward after interviews with the arrested trio revealed that he had “critical information required to resolve the crime and the recovery of the stolen IT equipment”.

Given Msimango faces two counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and 36 rounds of ammunition and Jose faces four counts of possession of fraudulent identity documents bearing his photograph.

Mahlangu said the accused stay in the same house in Mamelodi and police went to the house on information that there were computers there. “They searched the house but there were no computers.

“They found the identity documents and one firearm.

“The other firearm was not found in the house but somewhere else. That is what my clients have been arrested for‚” he said.

Mahlangu said he will take up the matter with the police.

Msimango and Jose were remanded in custody until March 30, when their bail application will be heard. — TMG