Five armed suspects denied bail

Brits – Five suspects who appeared before the Brits Magistrates’ Court on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as possession of housebreaking implements, have been denied bail.

Prosper Ndebele, Kingdom Makgetha, Given Shumba, Ezekiel Matlala and Thulani Sithole, who made their second court appearance on Friday 28 August, was arrested while allegedly planning to rob a business and homes near Brits.

“The suspects applied for bail but was denied. They were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on 27 November,” police spokesperson colonel Adéle Myburgh said.

A community tip-off to the police by members of the Bokfontein community led to the arrest of the suspects on Friday 21 August, while they were planning business and house robberies in Mooinooi. Acting on information, police members of the Brits Tactical Response Team (TRT) and the Rustenburg Flying Squad located and cornered a white Nissan minibus that the suspects were travelling in.

“The vehicle and the occupants were searched. Consequently, a revolver was found in possession of one of the accused. A 9mm pistol and a magazine loaded with ammunition were also found in the minibus,” Myburgh said.

A huge bolt cutter, hand gloves, a baton and pepper spray were among the housebreaking implements that were also found inside the vehicle during the search.