Five suspects arrested after botched robbery at Shoprite Elukwatini

Five men were arrested after Shoprite Elukwatini was robbed last Tuesday.
They were identified as Comfort Maphanga (29), Sipho Msimango (32), Lucas Mtsweni (31), Morris Ncongwane (26) and John Makhunyane Matlala (49).

Maphanga, a security guard at Shoprite, who had been on duty at the time was believed to have been an accomplice as he had allegedly provided inside information to the suspects.
He, Msimango, Mtsweni and Ncongwane were apprehended in Middelburg on Wednesday. Matlala who had to wait outside and check that the coast was clear, was arrested on the scene.

According to Const Peace Mbokane the employees were preparing to close shop at about 19:50 when three armed men walked in. Mbokane said they took the staff members’ cellphones to stop them from having any contact with the outside world.

“The gun-wielding suspects went straight to the manager’s office and demanded to be led to the safe where cash was kept.
The manager complied and took the suspects to the safe room where they further threatened two employees to open the time-delay safe.
After that, they took a sum of money estimated at R260 000 and used the back of the shop to flee.”
Matlala told the police that he and his three friends left Middelburg earlier the day to travel to Elukwatini for business.

“He said Ncongwane, the driver of the getaway vehicle, a green Honda sedan, took him to his home and told him to accompany him on errands in Elukwatini.
Matlala alleged that he only realised that the business was to rob a supermarket when he heard Ncongwane briefing Maphanga on how they were going to attack the shop.

By then, it was too late to abandon ship and he had to play the ball,” Mbokane said.
“As the back of the shop was being checked by the police, they found R58 000 which is alleged to have been dropped by the suspects when they were fleeing. Fourteen cellphones belonging to the staff were also found.”

The suspects appeared in the Eerstehoek Magistrate’s Court last Thursday and were remanded in custody. They will reappear in the same court on July 9. Meanwhile, the station commander of Elukwatini, Col Precious Mabuza, praised police officers for doing a sterling job, as well as that of the external role players.

“It is by working together in this fashion that criminals can be netted into the cells where they belong and innocent citizens led to enjoy a crime-free environment.
This is our calling as the dignified blue and we will remain robust against criminals,” Mabuza said.