Tibone's suspected robbers denied bail

Robbers who broke into the house of former Minister, Charles Tibone and stole goods amounting to thousands of Pula were denied bail again this week for the second time.

Appearing before Broadhurst Chief Magistrate, Faith Ngandu, prosecutors dropped charges against two men, while bail was denied for the other four. Police are still in the hunt for two other suspects who are currently at large. The Investigating Officer, Detective Senior Superintendent, Sergeant Marapo told the court that the accused persons should be denied bail because investigations were still ongoing. He said the accused had not been cooperating with the police to speed up investigations.

“Yesterday I sent an officer to fingerprint the suspects and bring them to the station in order for the complainant and his wife to identify some of the stolen items in front of the suspects, but they refused even though the officer had a removal warrant issued by a principal magistrate,” he said. He told court that the accused persons were not good candidates for bail as two of them had a similar case pending before court. He said one of the suspects is a prohibited immigrant.

The State says Moagi Letsholo (39), Joseph Ngayaya (42) and Judas Judas (29), Tennison Sibanda (24) and two others still at large attacked the former minister and his wife at their home and stole an array of items and cash.

According to the charge sheet, the items stolen included an iPad valued at P20, 000, iPhone valued at P11, 320, Samsung S5 valued at P11, 242. 50, Blackberry valued at P2, 600 Rolex wrist watch valued at USD16, 000, Cartier wrist watch valued at USD11,000, Red Swiss army knife USD3, 000 cash amounting to P2, 000 and R2, 000.

They will be appearing again for mention next month (July).