HEIST ACCUSED IN COURT
IT WAS a case of “fine-tuning” for two accused allegedly involved in the foiled cash-in-transit heist near the Sol Plaatje fresh produce market on February 6 and who were also linked to the K&B cash-in-transit heist that took place in Beaconsfield in November 2015, when they had to make back-to-back appearances in court.
The accused appeared in different courtrooms in quick succession in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Some of the matters that were set for trial could also not go ahead for fear of impending load shedding.
Both cases involve G4S vehicles that were targeted in dramatic shoot-outs, although no injuries were reported in either incident.
Two accused, Bongani Nomtsheke and Ephraim Diseko, had to appear for both cases, where the Sol Plaatje fresh produce market attempted robbery case had to temporarily stand down in a courtroom that was packed to capacity, as the accused were first called up for the K&B Supermarket cash-in-transit heist case.
The two accused (Diseko and Nomtsheke) joined seven other accused in connection with the K&B heist.
The two had been released on bail after being arrested in connection with the heist that took place on November 16 2015, when guards from G4S Security were robbed at gunpoint while emptying an ATM adjacent to K&B Supermarket in Beaconsfield.
It is alleged that more than R4.5 million was stolen during the incident.
Diseko and Nomtsheke, as well as co-accused Jones Mashigo, Thabiso Ramabusana, Seikanyo Manynama, Zeth Mthuthuzeli, Ishmael Kgosimere, Ezekiel Sebigo and Carl van Graaf, appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning, where their case was postponed to later this month for the appointment of a legal aid representative.
The nine suspects are facing 16 charges, which include robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, theft of a motor vehicle and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, following the alleged incident.
Later on Friday, Nomtsheke and Diseko, appeared in court along with co-accused Joseph Ncoma, Patrick Mapisi, Ismael Bonakele Didi, Thabang Tshabalala, Prince Mosala, Tsapajame Moribe, Nceba Ntulo and Tshepo Moshou, on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and robbery with aggravated circumstances for the alleged attempted robbery at the Sol Plaatje fresh produce market on February 6.
They will appear for a formal bail application this week.
Legal representative for the accused, Louis Matlejoane, said they had been assaulted and tortured while they were in custody and were prevented from opening charges against police officers.
He indicated that Moribe, who was last seen in court with bruises on his face, was still waiting for medical attention. Moribe was allegedly “severely assaulted” following his arrest.
He stated that Ncoma, Tshabalala, Mosala, Moribe and Ntulo were also “assaulted and tortured by the police” where they were denied an opportunity of opening cases against police officials.
State prosecutor L Jaftha indicated that she was aware of the assault claims that were supposed to have been referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
“If the accused were injured, they should have been taken to the hospital.”