NOORDWESTER - ZEERUST - Bonang Jankie Madisakwane and Paul Tlelimo, both aged 37, are expected to make a second appearance in the Zeerust Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 04 April, for theft and possession of copper cables.
The accused initially appeared in court on Monday, 25, and Wednesday, 27 March, respectively, following arrest by Zeerust Visible Policing members on Saturday 23 March. According to reports, the members were conducting patrol along the R49 road near Lekubu viĺlage when they spotted a white Audi car with Gauteng Province registration number. The car was searched together with the three occupants.
During the search, the police found two plastic bags full of copper cables, a roll of copper cables, all worth R650 000.00, two back packs, side cutter, spanners, knives, and pliers. The suspects were arrested after failing to account for the possession, but the third one who is alleged to be a Lesotho foreign national, fled from the scene to evade arrest. Preliminary investigations conducted after the arrest positively linked the copper cables with a case of theft registered at Nietverdiend. Madisakwane was further linked to a case of theft allegedly committed in Jacobsdal in the policing precinct of Ottoshoop. Tlelimo, who is a foreign national from Lesotho, was charged for contravening the provisions of the Immigration Act, 2002, after failing to prove his legal status in the country. The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, hailed the members for their vigilance, which resulted in the success. The accused persons in this case appeared in court today and remanded in custody until 8 April 2024, for legal representation and bail application. They are Nathaniel Mokwena (41), Sendry Phage (58), Virgilo Hlongwane (33), Nkanyiso Hadebe (25), Boitumelo Bogatsu (44), Thuloane Makume (47) - Police Officer
