Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
31 May 2024
After the arrest of the four suspects that committed the business robbery at Ackerman store in Bethal two weeks ago, Bethal police are working tirelessly with stakeholders including HABPS Security and the Department of Home Affairs in ensuring that the suspects remains behind bars.
Bethal Police management is overwhelmed by the reaction of the security officers from HABPS Security during the business robbery incident that took place at Ackerman store.
Acting station commander, Captain Mandla Maseko passed his gratitude to the brave security officers for ensuring that suspects are apprehended and brought to book.
All four suspects made their second appearance at Bethal Magistrate’s Court on 21 May 2024 and charges on business robbery were withdrawn against two accused, Bukhosibakhe Mtshali and Aron Mlambo though a charge of contravening the immigration Act was added to Aron Mlambo and the other two co-accused facing charges of business robbery.
On Thursday 23 May 2024, the remaining three suspects appeared before Bethal Magistrate’s Court whereby Aron Mlambo pleaded guilty on charges of contravening the immigration Act and was fined R3500.00 or 60(Sixty) days imprisonment.
The Magistrate instructed that Mlambo be deported to his country of origin.
The remaining two accused, Cleopas Ndlovu(31) and Brian Maphosa(34) were remanded in custody and the court instructed that the status of both accused be verified with the Department of Home Affairs.
The matter was postponed to Tuesday, 4 June 2024 for formal bail application and report from the Department of Home Affairs regarding their status in the country.
The acting station commander further thanked the community for their involvement as whistle-blowers in preventing crime and encourages other community members to join CPF(Community Policing Forum) Youth Crime Prevention Forum and neighborhood watch teams to help the police in the fight against crime.
