‘Tzaneen thief’ faces more charges as case returns to court
Suspected serial thief Mahlatsi Malatji faces new charges as DNA results are awaited while he remains in custody ahead of December court return.
TZANEEN – The man known as the Tzaneen thief, Mahlatsi Erasmus Malatji, appeared before the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on October 31, where the prosecution added new cases against him.
Malatji, who was arrested earlier this year after an intensive investigation by Tzaneen SAPS, faces multiple counts, including housebreaking, theft from motor vehicles, assault, and robbery. The court heard that additional charges may still follow as investigations continue.
The state prosecutor confirmed that DNA results are still pending, which could further link Malatji to other incidents in the area.
His case has been postponed, and he is expected to reappear in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on December 5. He remains behind bars as he has a previous suspended sentence that came into effect when he was arrested.
Malatji is widely believed to be behind a spate of burglaries and robberies that gripped Aquapark, Arbor Park, and Boundary Street in the past two years.
Read more:
- Elusive Tzaneen burglary suspect finally arrested
- Tzaneen burglary suspect denied bail
- Magistrate steps aside in ‘Tzaneen thief’ case
- Tzaneen thief faces 7 charges as case grows
