Man arrested after couple robbed of casino winnings in Pinetown
The 29-year-old man appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court and is due back on October 27 to apply for bail.
SIPHOSETHU Ndovela (29) appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, October 21, after he was arrested in connection with the armed robbery of a couple in Pinetown.
According to KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, Ndovela was arrested by the KZN Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit detectives after robbing the couple of their casino winnings.
It is alleged that the trio left a casino in the vicinity of Umdloti with the money they had cashed out on the night of August 21.
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Netshiunda said reports indicate that on the night, a 50-year-old man, his 59-year-old wife and a 58-year-old friend were gambling at the casino when the 50-year-old decided to cash out an undisclosed amount of money.
“The trio left the casino around 23:00 in two vehicles, a BMW X3 and a Ford Ranger, and when they arrived at their residence on Bartlett Road in Pinetown, they were allegedly accosted by two suspects who robbed them of the money and the woman’s handbag at gunpoint.
“When the robbery was in progress, the Flying Squad police officers who were on their routine patrols unknowingly drove next to the suspects’ getaway vehicle and they found themselves under gunfire,” reported Netshiunda.
He said police managed to tactically take cover unharmed and the suspects sped off.
“The getaway vehicle, a white Toyota Yaris fitted with false registration plates, was spotted leaving the crime scene. Police investigations uncovered that there was a second vehicle, a white VW Polo, which was used in the commission of the crime. Ndovela was identified as the owner of the Polo and was arrested October 19,” said Netshiunda.
He was remanded in custody. He will be back in the dock on Tuesday, October 27, for a formal bail application.
Netshiunda added that a search is on for the other suspect whose identity is known to the police.
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