Accused in Mbombela murder case released on bail
The men who had been arrested in connection with the murder of Koenic Dunlop Zone Nelspruit's owner, were recently released on bail.
Following Riaan van der Sandt’s murder on August 5, four suspects were arrested on August 11.
These men, Alex Tsepo Phoku, Sizwe Mazibuko, Makhosi Bhiya and Nhlanhla Mkhabela, had been in custody since their arrest, but were granted bail of R10 000 each in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on December 15.
The case was postponed to February 24 for further investigation.
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Lowvelder previously reported that a fifth suspect was also being sought by the police, but according to information, had been arrested for an unrelated matter on November 28.
A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said he could not comment on the possible linking of this suspect until their processes had been concluded.
At the time of the murder, a statement by Mohlala indicated that a group of armed suspects had stormed Van der Sandt’s business, Koenic Dunlop Zone Nelspruit, at 16:00 on August 5, when he and his employees were preparing to close for the day. It is alleged that both Van der Sandt and his staff were held at gunpoint. Another employee was assaulted and forced to lead the robbers to the safe. “Their actions resulted in an altercation between one suspect and the business owner,” said Mohlala. Van der Sandt was then shot.
His family held his memorial service at Communio Church on August 13.
