LIMPOPO – The names of the 17 of the 19 people who were left dead in a shootout with police in Louis Trichardt two weeks ago, have been released.
The bloody confrontation followed an intelligence-driven operation by the police weeks in advance and led to the police confronting the suspects belonging to a gang planning cash-in-transit robberies, at a house in Eltivillas.
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When the police arrived, the suspects immediately started shooting at them, and the police returned fire. The shooting lasted close to 90 minutes. A senior police officer was severely wounded and is still recovering in hospital.
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Ten vehicles were also confiscated in Thohoyandou and in Louis Trichardt, as well as several weapons.
Last week, 17 of the bodies had been identified by family members at Tshilidzi Hospital:
- Mandakayise Ngcobo (49) from Gauteng
- Mzwandile Wiseman Hlongwane (43) from Soweto
- Siyabonga Nicholus Mkhunya (44) from Diepkloof
- Lazarus Bernard Ndlovu (39) from Middelburg
- Khulekani Sibanda (42) (Zimbabwe)
- Disego Collins Moagi (45) from Gasekororo
- Frank Moyo (43) (Zimbabwe)
- The gardener, Alexander Myambi (24) (Zimbabwe)
- Magangane Mandlenkosi (35) from Diepkloof
- Mokwi Moses Ntshetseng (41) from Gamasemola
- Japhta “Tsepo” Makhavhu (46) from Lwamondo-Tshitandani
- Lehlohonolo David Tshuto (41) from Mabopane
- The owner of the house, Tshilidzi Whitney Maluleke (36)
- The alleged kingpin Simbarashe Malvin Machingauta (37)
- The domestic worker, Juliet Mugabe (27) (Zimbabwe)
- Thabo Christopher Thipe (54) from Lenasia
- Ramaisa Dipholo (36) from Braam Fischer.
Five other suspects involved in a cash-in-transit heist were arrested in Thohoyandou on the same day (September 1) and appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate’s Court on September 4.
According to Matimba Maluleke, spokesperson for the Limpopo Hawks, these persons were apprehended at a house located in Thohoyandou and authorities suspect that they may have ties with the group involved in the fatal confrontation with the police at Eltivillas.
Maluleke confirmed that during the arrests, law enforcers confiscated two vehicles, one of which was an ambulance. It is believed that the ambulance was intended to be used as part of the planned heist to transport the stolen money.
Asanda Maqhawu (33), Charity Phathutshedzo Makhwedzana (34), Ramabele Justice Peta (47), Vusimuzi Samuel Ramabekae (51), and traditional healer Sillo Shadrack Mposi (48) face charges related to the possession of suspected stolen vehicles. Their cases were postponed to 3 October for further investigation.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s national spokesperson, Robbie Raburabu said they will soon release the outcome of the matter of the police shooting at the suspects.
