MIDDELBURG- Three accused, Thabang Ntheko, Samsom Makua and George Maswanganyi a Mozambican national appeared before Middelburg Magistrates’ Court yesterday 10 November 2014.
They faces two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and possession of suspected stolen vehicle.
Their arrests comes after police discovered two bodies at a disused open mine on Sunday in Middelburg. One of the bodies was already at an advanced stage of decomposition while the other was still identifiable.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that both deceased had been reported missing by family members. One had been reported on October 8 at Blinkpan. It appears that the last time he was seen by his family was when he left his home Mhluzi, for work in Blinkpan but he never arrived,”explained Brig Selvy Mohlala.
“He was driving a Gold Toyota Corolla. It is suspected that the victim was hijacked, robbed and kidnapped when he arrived in Blinkpan and then dumped at the mine,”he added.
Mohlala said the other victim was reported missing in Bronkhorspruit on November 4.
“The victim is also believed to have fallen prey to the suspects where it is suspected that he was hijacked, robbed, kidnapped and dumped at the mine. He was driving a silver Mercedes Bens,”continued Mohlala.
The police followed up on information and arrested one suspect at Uitkyk informal settlement where they recovered the silver Mercedes Bens. The other two suspects were apprehended at Mhluzi also in Middelburg. The gold Toyota Corolla has been traced to Delmas where it is alleged to have been sold to a local driving school owner.
The case was postponed to November 20 for their formal bail application.
