Bail for petrol station robbery suspects

Three men, facing charges in connection with the petrol station robberies over Easter, have been granted bail.

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Durban - Three men, facing charges in connection with robberies at two petrol station convenience stores over the Easter weekend, have been granted bail in the Durban Magistrate’s Court. One of the men wore a religious robe while committing the crimes.

Sicelo Khoza and Linda Nxumalo, both 35, were granted bail of R5 000 each for robbery with aggravating circumstances while co-accused Lwando Lethi, 22, received bail of R3 000 after two guns, ammunition and a grenade were allegedly recovered in his car.

The trio were arrested separately about a week after the April 5 and 6 robberies of the convenience stores at Engen Welcome Motors Garage in King Cetshwayo (Jan Smuts) Highway and across the road at the 45th Cutting Engen Garage.

Investigating officer, Constable Mandla Mabhunu, said CCTV footage had shown Khoza wearing a religious robe.

The robe became the subject of some chuckles in court after some confusion about its colour. Under cross-examination by Khoza’s defence attorney, Ben Dlamini, Mabhunu fumbled when questioned about whether the robe was green or blue.

In Zulu, the word for green and blue is the same.

Mabhunu told the court he was not good with colours but that the robe that was recovered, was the same colour as that in the photographs from the CCTV footage.

Cato Manor police arrested Khoza while he was working as a schoolchildren transport driver.

Police had recognised him after information about the robberies was circulated to all police stations following a number of similar robberies.

The trio are due back in court next week.

Daily News