adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The bail hearing for the four suspects who were recently arrested on charges of killing two Zimbabwean women, raping three others and kidnapping 28 fellow countrymen along the N1 highway in South Africa, was on Wednesday further postponed to September 2.
The matter, which is being tried at Thembisa magistrates’ court in Johannesburg, was pushed to a later date after the defence lawyers indicated that they were not fully prepared for the bail hearing.
Charles Cecil Brewer (36) aka Boss of Nketa 7 in Bulawayo, his South African wife Madida Petition Sicelo (30) aka Sister, Jaheni Luphahla (28) aka Satan of Old Lobengula in Bulawayo and Phathumuzi Sibanda (27) of Emakhandnei in Bulawayo are accused of committing the offences between May 30 and July 11.
The gang was formally charged for murder, rape of three women, kidnapping of 28 people, assault (grievous bodily harm), robbery and human trafficking.
They are believed to be part of a syndicate targeting women travelling between Musina and Johannesburg in Gauteng province.
The gang was picked up during a police sting operation in Musina on July 25 while preying on unsuspecting victims who were travelling to Johannesburg.
Sources close to investigations said the arrests bring to 10 the number of people who have been arrested for terrorising Zimbabweans travelling to that country.
The other suspects are Wisani Sithole, Godknows Dube, Bongani Ngwenya, Sibusiso Ndlovu, Malvin Ndaba and Nkosinathi Ncube and are still in police custody pending trial in Johannesburg.
“They have since been positively idenfied by six victims. Brewer and Madida were identified as the drivers of the white Opel registration numbers SNB949GP and the red Hyundai matrix registration numbers ND462078,” said the source.
It is understood that the syndicate operates from Total and Engen filling stations and a house in Musina where they pounce on Zimbabwean hitch-hikers travelling to Gauteng province.
The syndicate claimed the lives of Olga Gwena (25) of Chitungwiza and Esther Mwenda (believed to be from Harare).
Gwena’s body has already been repatriated and buried in Harare while Mwenda’s remains are still at Germiston hospital mortuary.
Mwenda was killed and burnt beyond recognition and detectives are in the midst of conducting DNA tests to identify her proper nationality although she is strongly believed to be Zimbabwean.
The criminals are reportedly using South African registered private vehicles and touts to lure the unsuspecting victims into their cars which they then kidnap and detain at various points upon reaching Johannesburg.
Upon reaching Johannesburg the suspects turn violent and detain the victims after stripping them of valuables, including money.
They then demand money from the victims’ relatives to secure their release. The money which ranges from R2,000 and above would be paid at various money agencies including Shoprite, PEP, and Spar or Cambridge Stores among others.
Online Reporter