Their members split up, stationing an officer at each entrance to the court room as the Magistrate Solomon Mashiloane made his way into the court room.
“All rise” was called out and everyone took to their feet.
The six officers headed down toward the holding cells below the court room and the clatter of iron and chains could be heard shifting from one foot to the other.
At first three of the TRT officers came up the stairs, they took up position within the court, they were followed by the six suspects and then another three officers, their hands firmly on their rifles, prepared for anything.
Mr Alf Grobler stood as prosecutor for the state, he spoke to Mr Mashiloane and a decision was called out that the case would be remanded for May 22 for bail application.
The tension that had built up as the suspects entered the room, faded slowly as the suspects shuffled their way back down to the holding cells where they were readied for transport to the Witbank Police holding cells.
The charges against the businessman suspected to be involved in the armed robbery which took place on April 27, were withdrawn – which raised a number of questions, one of the biggest being – why was he arrested in the first place.
On Tuesday, May 20 two more suspects were arrested in East London and close to R1 Million was recovered, the two suspects will be transported to eMalahleni where they will likely appear before the court on charges of armed robbery and attempted murder.
