Two of the four suspects believed to be involved in the armed robbery of a foreign businessman in Boshof are also on trial for crimes committed in Bloemfontein. Further investigations by the Free State police revealed Tommy Bothma (36) and Randy Mapoe Langman (37) have pending cases against them.
They were arrested on 9 August with accomplices Chantel Juanita van der Bergh (31) and Heinrich George Schuin (43) regarding business robbery committed in New Extension, Boshof.
Bothma’s trial pertains to house burglary in Bayswater, Bloemfontein, while Langman’s trial is related to the smuggling of abalone worth R7 million. Both men are out on bail granted in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court.
The four would-be robbers are expected to reappear in the Boshof Magistrate’s Court on 25 August.
Capt. Stephen Thakeng, provincial police spokesperson, said the suspects had been arrested in Dealesville after a high-speed chase from Boshof.
“The four suspected robbers are remanded in custody for further investigation. They were found to be in possession of a toy gun and stolen items robbed from a foreign tuck shop owner,” he said.
Discovered loot includes two cellphones, an electricity and airtime vending machine, cigarettes, as well as cash.
Thakeng said the getaway vehicle, a Ford Everest, was also seized to aid further investigation. He said the ownership of the car was in question; it has not been reported as stolen and does not belong to anyone of the suspects.
The abalone smuggling trial against Langman, together with six accomplices, will resume in the Bloemfontein Regional Court on Friday (26/08). Appearing as accomplices are: Jinghuan Zhen, (Chinese), David Mbewu (Malawian), Thabo Johannes Khaile (Lesotho), Marvin Fazel Kekana and Clareece Genevieve (both South African). They face charges of possession of abalone. They are out on bail of R15 000 each.
They were arrested in December 2021 by the Hawks during a raid at a house in Olympus Street, Bayswater. The police discovered dry and wet abalone, believed to have been processed at the house.
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