The case against six men accused of being part of a syndicate that has been conducting robberies at malls in Gauteng, has been transferred back to the bail application court.
Their case was already in the trial court on 21 May for disclosure and to possibly set a trial date at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.
The six were arrested in September last year, following a joint intelligence-driven operation which foiled the alleged robbery that was to take place at a cell phone store at Fourways Mall. They were arrested along with three Douglasdale police officers. The state has since withdrawn charges against the police officers.
The case made an unexpected turn when one of the accused persons, Nkosinathi Masoa’s attorney, Idemudi Uriesi told the court that his client wants to apply for bail. Magistrate Godwin Sadiki then transferred the case back to the bail application court.
Presiding over the bail application is Magistrate Gayle Pretorius who previously denied three of the accused persons – Raymond Sibanyoni, Nelson Malesa and Lethabo Sheshingwani – bail, citing that they posed a danger to society [https://fourwaysreview.co.za/271762/mall-gang-dangerous-granted-bail/].
Masoa together with Thokozani Sibanda and Simphiwe Madonsela had initially abandoned their bail applications. Appearing before Pretorius, Uriesi told the magistrate that his client would like to make a new bail application.
Attorney for the other accused, Ofentse Nkgwang, told the court that his client, Raymond Sibanyoni would like to make another bail application based on new facts as he was previously denied bail. He added that his other client, Thokozani Sibanda, would also like to now make a bail application.
The case has been provisionally postponed to 4 June in order for the attorneys to be furnished with transcripts of the previous bail applications.
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Police make breakthrough in mall robberies with arrest of six suspects
