A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the armed robbery of a couple and their friend, who were allegedly robbed of their casino winnings in Pinetown in August.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said Siphosethu Ndovela was arrested on October 19 following an investigation by the provincial Murder and Robbery Unit.
The incident occurred on the night of August 21, when a 50-year-old man, his 59-year-old wife and their 58-year-old friend were returning home after gambling at a casino.
According to police, the man had cashed out an undisclosed amount of money before the group left the casino at about 11pm in two vehicles, a BMW X3 and a Ford Ranger.
“When they arrived at their residence on Bartlett Road in Pinetown, they were allegedly accosted by two suspects at gunpoint who robbed them of the money and the woman’s handbag,” Netshiunda said.
During the robbery, Flying Squad officers on routine patrol drove past the suspects’ getaway vehicle and came under fire.
“Police managed to tactically take cover unharmed and the suspects sped off,” Netshiunda said.
Investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly used a white Toyota Yaris fitted with false registration plates to flee the scene.
Police also identified a white Volkswagen Polo believed to have been used in the commission of the crime.
Ndovela was identified as the owner of the Polo and subsequently arrested.
He appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday where he was remanded in custody.
He is expected to return to court on October 27 for a formal bail application.
Police are continuing their search for the second suspect, whose identity is known to investigators.