WHILE police officers in the greater Mtubatuba area are doing their jobs in terms of patrolling, attending crime scenes, following up on reported incidents and making arrests, things appear to fall apart when the suspects make their first court appearance.
A disturbing pattern has emerged of suspects, at times caught with stolen goods in their possession, being released and their cases withdrawn when appearing at the Magistrate’s Court.
Anomalies on the docket is often the reason; other times it is insufficient evidence.
Two weeks ago four people were arrested in oPhondweni near KwaMsane in connection with unlicensed firearms and ammunition found on their homesteads.
These arrests were the result of a joint operation undertaken by Empangeni crime intelligence members and the Rapid Raid Policing Unit.
All four suspects were released without the case being enrolled because arresting officers had allegedly failed to read them their rights at the time of arrest.
As a result, the sting operation was undertaken a second time and the same four suspects were arrested in oPhondweni last weekend.
All four appeared at the KwaMsane Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Mlungisi Mncwango (28) was released on R1 500 bail, Menzi Mncwango (22) and Mzokhona Ngubane (34) were released on R1 000 bail and Philani Mnguni (53) was denied bail as he was found to be in possession of more unlicensed firearms than the other three.
The trial of the three given bail will commence on 14 July while Mnguni will return to court on Monday.
Last week, three suspects were arrested in connection with two armed robberies in Monzi last month.
They were released and the case withdrawn because of insufficient evidence linking them directly to the crimes.
Mtubatuba SAPS is currently awaiting finger print results.
In connection with the armed robbery at Maputaland Guest House in St Lucia earlier this month, one of the three suspects was arrested and he is still in custody.
Thokozane Dube (33) was denied bail due to previous convictions for armed robbery and was transferred to Empangeni Prison where he will await trial.
Although he gave police officers the names of his two accomplices, they appear to have fled the area and remain on the run.
@TamlynJolly
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