SA Soldier, Zimbo Arrested for Freeing 6 Robbery Suspects
Kedibone Albert Langa (38), a member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and Thabani Sibanda (28) from Zimbabwe appeared in a Louis Trichardt court.
A South African soldier and a Zimbabwean national were arrested in Musina, Limpopo Province for allegedly attacking police and helping six-armed robbery suspects awaiting trial to escape from police custody on Monday morning.
Kedibone Albert Langa (38), a member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and Thabani Sibanda (28) from Zimbabwe appeared in a Louis Trichardt court on Tuesday.
The duo was remanded in custody to 22 March this year.
In a statement on Tuesday, Limpopo Province South African Police Services (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said one of those arrested was a brother of one of the escapees. He said:
The (SAPS) Team followed up on information received about the suspects and arrested a 28-year-old Zimbabwean national who is believed to be the brother of one of the escapees and a member of the South African National Defence Force aged 38.
The six Zimbabweans were being transported by police when their accomplices violently freed them. They are:
- Forward Shumba, 26,
- Shingirai Nyandome, 32,
- Brilliant Sibanda, 26,
- Erick Sithole, 35,
- Moses Zambara, 32 and
- Alex Nkomo, 35.
Langa and Sibanda are believed to have been among the suspects who engaged in a shoot-out with SAPS officers to free the six men.
