The Mercedes Benz that was recovered by police
By Kopano Dibakwane
A 37 year-old suspect appeared before the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing a charge of armed robbery and possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.
The suspect, identified as Ernest Nkosi, was reportedly nabbed following a collaborative effort between the police and local farmers in Belfast.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said a farmer was allegedly robbed of his vehicle and an undisclosed amount of cash while paying his employees at a certain farm in the area, by four suspects who suddenly appeared driving a Mercedes Benz and a VW Polo, on Friday 28 June.
” It is alleged that Nkosi was amongst the suspects and the victim was held at gunpoint and forced into the rear side of his bakkie before they took off with him,” said Mdhluli.
He said that one farmer spotted the said stolen bakkie, driving in a suspicious manner and called for assistance from neighbouring farmers. The suspects reportedly abandoned the bakkie after they were cornered by police and jumped into a Mercedes Benz, which was later spotted again at another farm nearby. Mdhluli said that the suspects also abandoned the Mercedes Benz and opted to escape on foot.
” Nkosi was caught and found hiding in the nearby bushes and he was arrested. Preliminary investigation revealed that the Mercedes Benz was fitted with false registration number plates and it was reportedly hijacked at Verena in May this year,” said Mdhluli.
He said that a search for the other suspects, who were allegedly together with Nkosi during the said armed robbery, is underway.
