More Charges Were Added On Robbers Of The Police Station, Filling Station And Atm Bombers
The robbers at Malamulele police station and ATM bombers, Godfrey Mabunda(41) from Giyani Bambeni, Sello Simon Sedi (42) and Tumbu Gadron Makutu (48) from De Oaks, appeared at Malamulele Magistrates' Court today for allegedly attacking and robbing the Malamulele police station on 21 November 2021. Today the state has added more charges, as the suspects were also involved in bombing safe at SI hardware in Bolobedu. The suspects also shot at people who were driving at the Malamulele traffic circle.
A ruthless group of heavily armed suspects stormed the Malamulele police station, robbed of members on the duty of their firearms and locked them in the back of a Police van. They then took R4 rifles, Pump guns, pistols and ammunition from the safe and left the station after locking the gate. The suspects then proceeded to rob at KFC, SASOL garage and Wisani filling station in Malamulele and further went to rob Viva garage at Njakanjaka in Bungeni area.
A dedicated team of investigators of the SAPS Limpopo Special Task Team resulted in the arrest on 19 January 2022, nine suspects were found in their hideout at Medinyeng Village near Kgapane Phalaborwa, three(03) were arrested at a Lodge in Bushbuckridge in the Mpumalanga Province. This was after information was received about these suspects intending to bomb more ATM`s in Mpumalanga.
The suspects were positively linked to several bombings and armed robberies in the province, including the recent incident at a filling station near the Capricorn toll gate, where a police Warrant Officer was shot and wounded in the process. They were also involved with the incident where a Police Sergeant attached to Botlokwa police station was robbed of his service pistol, R5 rifle and bulletproof vest.
The team managed to recover the following items:
- Four (04) R5 rifles
- Four (05) shotgun rifles
- Three (03) x 9mm pistols
- Ammunition, police bulletproof vests, explosives, illicit cigarettes, blasting cartridges, overalls, balaclavas, security uniform, a cash amount of money and shoes.
Two motor vehicles, a Toyota bakkie and a Mercedes Benz which were reportedly used to commit these crimes were also seized. These suspects have appeared in Giyani, Waterval and Kgapane Magistrates Courts across the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. They are facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition, possession of explosives, five counts of attempted murder, three counts of robbery with aggravated circumstances and three counts of hijackings.
The matter is postponed to 11 February 2022 for bail application.
Enquiries: Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi
DPP Limpopo Regional Spokesperson
0748233603