Suspected ‘Boko Haram’ members appear in Pretoria Magistrate’s Court

The case against two suspected members of the so-called Boko Haram Mamelodi criminal gang has been postponed to 26 March for their attorney to be present in court.

The two accused, Mncedisi Donald Ntloko (37) and Sibongile Mabele (37), appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

They face charges of fraud and the contravention of the prevention of illegal eviction and unlawful occupation of land act.

NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said it was claimed that the gang the pair belonged to was involved in defrauding the Tshwane municipality of about R12-million.

“They illegally occupied a new block of flats built by the municipality for Mamelodi residents as low-cost housing.”

The pair first appeared in court on 11 March before it was postponed to 18 March for confirmation of addresses.

Mahanjana said the investigation was continuing.

Gauteng community safety department spokesperson Pinkie Numa said police were investigating a number of cases related to crimes by the gang.

“A big problem, according to police, was that complainants would withdraw cases or be unwilling to provide statements, or even confirm suspects’ identities.

“Some have cited fear of victimisation or intimidation since gang members live in the same communities. Police have also been alerted to the possibility of them paying complainants to withdraw reported cases.”

Numa said the Tshwane district detectives were investigating about 15 cases; 10 of which were for business robbery, followed by those of extortion, malicious damage to property, arson and attempted murder.

“In one business robbery case, police arrested a suspect in an intelligence-led operation. They were, however, still searching for three others when the complainant reportedly approached the court behind the police’s back and withdrew the case.”

According to DA Gauteng community safety spokesperson Michael Shackleton, the gang has been terrorising the business community and Mamelodi residents since 2018.

“Apart from walking around with firearms, looting stores and robbing people, the gang is getting more and more involved with hijacking community project contracts.”

Shackleton said the gang also invaded the Mamelodi hostels in 2019, terrorising residents and evicting some of them so that they could move in.