JOINT EFFORTS BY THE DPCI AND NPA SUCCESSFULLY HALT URGENT BAIL APPLICATION

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY (NPA) AND THE DIRECTORATE FOR PRIORITY CRIME INVESTIGATION (HAWKS)

14 October 2025

JOINT EFFORTS BY THE DPCI AND NPA SUCCESSFULLY HALT URGENT BAIL APPLICATION

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in Nelspruit, through its Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, together with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) successfully presented facts before the Lydenburg Magistrates’ Court to halt urgent bail application involving four police officials and a civilian .The coordinated efforts led the court to defer the bail application pending the completion of a preliminary investigation.

The matter involving four police officials from Limpopo Province who were arrested following an alleged house robbery incident in Lydenburg.

On the evening of 10 October 2025, the police in Lydenburg responded to a report of a house robbery in progress at a block of flats in the area. Upon arrival, officers found a police-branded vehicle from Limpopo Flying Squad at the scene. Four occupants of the vehicle were unable to dispute that they were using the state vehicle.

The suspects identified themselves as: Sergeant Lucky Shogolo (40) and Constable Thapelo Ledwaba (34) – both attached to the Polokwane Flying Squad; Constable Malesela Huma (34) – attached to Mahwelereng K9 Unit; and Constable Saraphina Senama (34) – attached to Lebowakgomo SAPS.

The complainants identified all four Limpopo police officials as the alleged robbers. It was further reported that two vehicles loaded with illicit cigarettes sped off from the scene. Police managed to intercept one of the vehicles, which had tampered registration plates. The sole occupant, Sello Komane (29), was also identified as one of the alleged robbers.

A search of the vehicle uncovered an undisclosed amount of cash hidden inside a bulletproof vest. When police entered the victims’ residence, they discovered boxes of illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R1.5 million. A further search of the premises led to the recovery of R950 000 in cash concealed in various plastic bags around the house. All seven suspects were arrested and appeared before the Lydenburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 October 2025. Two Ethiopian nationals — Daniel Wikino (38) and Aleyo Shgutey (28) — were charged with possession and dealing in illicit cigarettes. Their case was postponed to 20 October 2025 to secure the services of an interpreter.

The NPA and DPCI successfully argued that further investigation is required before a formal bail hearing can take place. The five accused were remanded in custody, and the formal bail application is scheduled for Friday, 17 October 2025. Further investigations are underway to determine the origin of the illicit cigarettes and the source of the recovered cash. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) welcome the court’s decision, as it allows investigators to strengthen the case and present comprehensive evidence before the court.

Enquiries:

Monica Nyuswa

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mpumalanga

📞 076 485 5446

Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi

Provincial Spokesperson 

HAWKS Mpumalanga

📞 071 481 3437