GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Three suspects from Thembalethu, Sinenjongo Mgqibandaba (34), Sandile Mahluthuluza (34) and Sinovuyo Mgqibandaba(35), appeared in Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 13 January in connection with a business robbery at a liquor outlet in Long Street, Knysna.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Malcolm Pojie, the business was accosted by three suspects at about 16:50 on Monday 10 January.
Two of the suspects carried firearms. They forcefully demanded the manager of the business to open the safe and took an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspects also emptied the cash registers after ordering other employees to lie face-down on the floor.
“CCTV footage in the immediate vicinity was scrutinised by the investigation officer which indicated that the suspects fled the scene in a silver-grey VW Jetta en route to George. Subsequently a lookout was transmitted on air and an integrated team was established to trace the perpetrators,” said Pojie.
The next day police followed up on information received and tracked down the Jetta in York Street, George. Members of the rural flying squad and the Hawks responded rapidly and pulled over the vehicle with two occupants.
During a search, they found and confiscated a bank bag containing coins that were positively linked to the robbery in Knysna, as well as the VW Jetta. This led to the arrest of the duo, both 34 years old, from Thembalethu.
The following day, Wednesday 12 January, a house in Zone 8, Thembalethu, was searched and clothing, including footwear, similar to that worn by the assailants during Monday’s robbery was found. Further search of the house resulted in the confiscation of a substantial amount of cash, bank bags, six cellphones and a replica firearm.
A third suspect, in his mid-30s, was arrested when he was found hiding in a bedroom cupboard.
The trio were charged with business robbery as well as the possession of suspected stolen property and made their first appearance in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 13 January. The case was postponed for a formal bail application on 20 January. The suspects remain in custody.
The investigation team is also investigating the possibility that the suspects could be linked to other similar crimes perpetrated in the Southern Cape.
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