The three accused persons in the murder case of slain five-year-old Ditebogo Phalane Junior robbed a police officer in December 2023 and took his firearm.
The incident happened at the Loate police station in Winterveld outside Pretoria. This information was revealed by the investigating officer in the murder case of Ditebogo.
The investigating officer, Sergeant Sevhasa Mashudu, was testifying at the Pretoria North magistrate’s court on Tuesday, where one of the three accused, Elias Maeko (36), applied for bail.
While Ali Sithole (30) and Nido Gumbe (29) have abandoned their bail applications, Maeko was still pursuing his.
The accused, all of whom are residents of Soshanguve South, are charged with robbery and murder with aggravating circumstances.
Additionally, Gumbe, a citizen of Mozambique, is accused of entering the country unlawfully.
Shot and killed outside his home
Ditebogo was shot and killed during a hijacking at his Soshanguve residence on May 10, 2024. He was killed by armed men as he ran up to his father, who had just come home.
During the court proceedings, state prosecutor Tumelo Letaoane asked Mashudu to continue with his testimony, which is meant to oppose Maeko’s bail application.
Police investigations, according to Mashudu, have shown that Maeko, Sithole, and Gumbe have been terrorising locations such as Mabopane, Soshanguve, Akasia, and Rustenburg.
The three accused committed a number of egregious crimes between 2023 and 2024, which Mashudu described to the crowded courtroom.
He told the court that the men’s method of operation was to rob people of their vehicles while they were outside their residences.
“They robbed a member of the SA Police Service in December 2023. His gun was stolen. This incident took place at the Loate police station,” Mashudu stated.
According to Mashudu, some of the accused’s hijacking crimes involved the use of the police officer’s firearm.
The case continues with Mashudu’s testimony.
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