Suspect of assault on two Nelspruit policemen denied bail

A man alleged to have assaulted and shot at two Nelspruit police officers near i’langa Mall on March 23 has been denied bail by the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court.

Thabang Vincent Shakwane (25) was arrested on March 26 during a multidisciplinary approach by the Hawks, provincial detectives and Crime Intelligence.

He appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on April 7. On Wednesday March 23, two police officers were patrolling near i’langa Mall when they noticed a suspicious red VW Polo with three occupants.

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The vehicle was pulled over. During the search, the three occupants allegedly attempted to disrupt the officers by offering them money, which they refused.

The Mpumalanga Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (Hawks) spokesperson, Capt Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, said that as the police officers were busy arresting the trio, one of the suspects reportedly fired a shot towards one member, but missed.

“While the said member was on the ground, the suspects reportedly assaulted him and robbed him of his 9mm service pistol and a cellphone. The second officer was also attacked and his service pistol robbed before they fled the scene,” she said.

“On Saturday March 26 at about 20:00, information on the whereabouts of the suspects was received by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation, provincial detectives and Crime Intelligence.

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“On their arrival, Shakwane was found. He was positively linked to the case. The vehicle used during the attack on the SAPS officials was also seized.”

Sekgotodi said that during Shakwane’s bail application, the investigating officer managed to link him to an armed robbery case that had occurred in Barberton, also on March 23.

Shakwane will remain in custody until May 27 when he is expected to appear back in court.