South African soldier arrested for aiding Zimbabwean robbers escape

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, Forward Shumba, 26, Shingirai Nyandome, 32, Brilliant Sibanda, 26, Erick Sithole, 35, Moses Zambara, 32 and Alex Nkomo, 35, were being transported by police when their accomplices violently freed them.

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.

Agencies