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The Lwandle police sent a strong message to the community in the aftermath of two suspected armed robbers being denied bail that criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.
The two suspects have remained in custody after their arrest for allegedly robbing a Somali shop on the morning of 3 August at Paliso Street in Asanda Village.
City Vision published the story on 9 August, with the headline “Robbers arrested”.
It is alleged that the complainant was at his shop when two suspects entered the shop with firearms. They both pointed firearms at him, demanding money. The complainant was hit over the head with a firearm.
The suspects then took money from the till and cigarettes before fleeing the scene on foot leaving in their getaway car, behind which was parked in a nearby driveway.
Lwandle police members, Somerset West police members, off-duty police officials and reservists were near the shop when the robbers attacked.
They immediately acted and chased the suspects, who were getting away on foot. One changed direction and turned back to make his way back to the car they travelled in. But he was spotted and arrested after a bag full of cigarettes was found on him.
The other suspect was arrested near the railway line in Strand and taken to bushes where he said he had hidden his unlicensed firearm. An undisclosed amount of money was found in his possession.
Both suspects, Phuthumani Maxhego (23) and Thulani Tokwana (27), first appeared in the Strand Magistrate’s Court on 27 August, but their bail hearing was postponed to Monday 3 September, when their application was denied.
They will appear in court again on 23 October.
