Accused cop killers appear in the dock
The four suspects accused of shooting two police officers, killing one, on Monday, appeared in the Middelburg Regional Court this morning (Thursday).
The men are accused of shooting Sergeant Simon Mbonani and seriously wounding Sergeant Sthembiso Magubane, who is in the hospital recovering.
Sergeant Mbonani will be laid to rest today in Kwaggafontein.
The four foreign nationals, Paulio Ticha Quembo (33), Nelson Mudavahu (33), Lawrence Simango (34), and Denis Spencer Chipenza (35), who is currently in the hospital, were arrested on Wednesday.
Three suspects are Mozambican nationals, and Mudavahu is Zimbabwean.
According to the initial statement by the Hawks, the accused shot the two officers after they responded to a tip-off about diesel theft on a mine near the N4.
When they arrived on the scene, they found a yellow diesel tanker trying to leave. The officers approached the tanker and the occupants opened fire.
The men are facing charges of murder, attempted murder and robbery, more charges could be added to the case.
The matter was postponed to April 13 for legal applications and address verification.
A picture of the men’s faces can’t be published because they have to stand in an identity parade, the media were asked not to publish their faces.
